Three players from the Cochrane Chaos are among the recipients of this year's scholarships presented by the Friends of Alberta Junior Hockey Society.
Kelsi Dickson received a $2,000 scholarship and Kiera Wilcox and Rowan Bremner were awarded $1,500 scholarships to assist with their post-secondary studies.
Bob Green, treasurer of the society, attended the Feb. 21 playoff game between Chaos and Lethbridge Eagles on Feb. 21 to present the scholarships.
Jeff Dixon, who volunteers with the society, says 28 scholarships were awarded provincewide from over 200 applicants. They aim to add two more scholarships in the future and possibly increase the size of the $1,500 ones to $2,000.
The society's primary source of funding is from working annually at an Alberta Lotteries-sanctioned casino. It has allowed them to award more than $1 million in scholarships and bursaries over the years.
Dixon stepped forward to help after his daughter was awarded her first scholarship last season.
"They were looking for people to help out at the casino and asked if I wanted to join. I thought it would be a nice way of giving back."
He says the scholarship program plays a crucial role, especially with today's high costs, in helping athletes pursue post-secondary studies.
One of the main focuses of the society is to allow junior-age hockey players to be able to continue to play high-level hockey while continuing in their pursuit of a higher education.
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For over three decades, the society has been awarding scholarships to junior hockey players who distinguish themselves in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence. It takes into account more than grade averages. Community service is a factor, and for some sponsored scholarships, the studies being pursued are specified.
Established in 1985, the society's scholarships are generally available for athletes who have played or are currently playing junior hockey in Alberta. Scholarships are also available for team therapists and ice officials. Successful applicants must be attending post-secondary institutions in Alberta.
You can learn more about the society here.
League championship kicks off today in Cochrane
The Cochrane Chaos host the opening game of the AJFHL championship against the Edmonton Wolves today (Mar. 15) at 5 p.m. in Totem One at the SLS Centre. Game Two is Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
The best-of-five series heads to Edmonton next weekend.
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