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22 Canada West WHL men's hockey grads named Academic All-Canadians
Source: Jesse Watts, Western Hockey League
CALGARY - In 2010-11, the Western Hockey League awarded 275 scholarships to graduate players. Of those 275 scholarship recipients, 211 were enrolled in full-time studies at a Canadian university while playing hockey in the CIS.
Nearly 20% of the WHL grads who attended a Canadian university and played hockey in the CIS were able to maintain a level of academic success worthy of earning Academic All-Canadian status. A total of 41 WHL student-athlete graduates earned that very honor during the 2010-11 academic year, with 22 of those from Canada West Athletics schools.
"Conventional wisdom might suggest that young men involved in elite hockey are just not committed to a post secondary education," said Jim Donlevy, Director of Education Services for the Western Hockey League. "Over many years, quite the opposite is proving true, as reflected in the number of Academic All Canadians playing CIS hockey."
To earn honours, a student must maintain a grade-point average of 80% or better throughout the academic year, with a minimum of 18 credit hours.
Donlevy agrees that the WHL's commitment to educational success, both for current and graduate players, is proving fruitful not only pursue a post-secondary education, but excel academically at the university level.
"Clearly, the significant number of WHL Graduates who use their Scholarship and continue to play hockey in the CIS are implementing the athletic and academic skills they have developed throughout their WHL careers," said Donlevy.
Since 1993, the Western Hockey League has awarded more than 4,300 Scholarships to graduate players, representing a contribution of more than $13.5 million.
2010-11 CIS
ACADEMIC ALL-CANADIANS
(with name and former WHL club)
Acadia University
Kristofer Westblom (Kelowna)
University of Alberta
Greg Gardner (Prince George)
Drew Nichol (Edmonton)
J.P.Szaszkiewicz (Spokane, Edmonton)
Jason Fransoo (Swift Current, Everett)
Derek Ryan (Spokane)
University of British Columbia
Justin McCrae (Saskatoon, Spokane)
University of Calgary
Brett Bartman (Spokane)
Luke Egener (Vancouver, Red Deer)
Ryan Gillen (Prince George, Tri-City, Calgary)
Brock Nixon (Kamloops, Calgary)
Carleton University
Jordie Deagle (Medicine Hat, Prince George, Red Deer)
Dalhousie University
Daniel Bartek (Tri-City)
Brett Plouffe (Calgary, Tri-City)
Lakehead University
Kris Hogg (Kamloops, Lethbridge)
Devin Welsh (Moose Jaw, Everett, Kootenay, Lethbridge)
University of Lethbridge
Scott Bowles (Calgary, Prince George)
Curtis Cooper (Prince George)
University of Manitoba
Joe Caligiuri (Brandon, Prince George)
Chad Erb (Brandon)
Mike Hellyer (Prince Albert)
Jeremy Schappert (Seattle)
University of New Brunswick
Jonathan Harty (Everett)
Bretton Stamler (Seattle, Edmonton, Swift Current)
Ben Wright (Lethbridge)
Kyle Bailey (Portland, Lethbridge)
Taylor Procyshen (Tri-City)
Queen's University
David Aime (Prince Albert, Red Deer)
University of Regina
Shayne Barrie (Everett)
St. Francis Xavier University
Brett Robertson (Medicine Hat, Prince George, Seattle)
Brennen Wray St. (Moose Jaw, Red Deer)
St. Mary's University
Michael Stickland (Kootenay, Swift Current)
University of Saskatchewan
Brennan Bosch (Medicine Hat)
Curtis Kulchar (Regina, Vancouver, Kamloops, Everett)
Shaun Vey (Tri-City, Vancouver)
Travis Brisebois (Swift Current)
Kyle Ross (Red Deer, Regina)
University of Waterloo
Ryan Molle (Vancouver, Swift Current, Kootenay)
Chris Ray (Kelowna)
Josh Schappert (Seattle)
University of Western Ontario
Yashar Farmanara (Seattle, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat)
