The Montreal Canadiens Bursary Program allows the FAEQ to support the next generation of top hockey players year after year. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the program is managed by the FAEQ, in partnership with Hockey Québec, the Quebec U18 AAA Hockey Development League, and the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ).
The 26 bursary recipients, who range in age from 15 to 17 years old, were selected based on their athletic and academic achievements. To encourage student-athletes to prepare for a post-sports career, one of the main eligibility criteria is the pursuit of education. As a result, one recipient was chosen from each of the 15 male U18 AAA teams, while eight girls and one boy were selected from the LHEQ. Two players from the RSEQ, who will also be receiving a bursary, will be named at a later date.
"For the past 15 years, we have been very proud to promote and recognize the perseverance and achievements of Quebec's elite student-athletes in hockey, said Geoff Molson, owner, president and CEO of the Montreal Canadiens. "After these past two years, which saw the cancellation of hockey games and tournaments as well as the obligation to adapt to virtual school education, we consider it all the more important to salute their efforts and their resilience. We are determined to encourage them to continue their academic and athletic development, and to stay the course towards their dreams and ambition."
"Like the Foundation for Athletic Excellence, the Montreal Canadiens are committed to the athletic and academic success of Quebec's hockey players. The club's support is a great source of pride for the twenty-six bursary recipients, encouraging them to give their all both on the ice and in the classroom. This year, they've witnessed an excellent example of perseverance in Laurent Dauphin, who received a Canadiens bursary in 2011-12 and played 34 games with the team this season," added Martin Lavigne, president of the FAEQ.
Several former Montreal Canadiens bursary recipients have gone on to achieve great things, including Olympic medallists Mélodie Daoust, Ann-Renée Desbiens, Marie-Philip Poulin and Lauriane Rougeau. On the men's side, several made it to the NHL in recent years, including Samuel Blais of the New York Rangers, Maxime Comtois of the Anaheim Ducks, Laurent Dauphin of the Montreal Canadiens, Anthony Duclair of the Florida Panthers, Samuel Girard of the Colorado Avalanche, Alexis Lafrenière of the New York Rangers, Michael Matheson of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Samuel Morin of the Philadelphia Flyers, Nicolas Roy of the Vegas Golden Knights, Jeffrey Truchon-Viel of the San Jose Sharks, and Joseph Veleno of the Detroit Red Wings.
About the Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ)
Since its creation in 1985, the FAEQ has distributed $19 million in bursaries, consisting of of 6,525 individual bursaries awarded to 3,300 different recipients. Not only does the FAEQ provide financial support to Quebec's student-athletes, but it also offers support resources such as academic counselling, sport/study balance, and corporate internships. The FAEQ is recognized for its personalized approach, rigorous management style and influence in sports and education circles. For more information, visit faeq.com.
