PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens hosted their 6th annual bursary award ceremony within the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence. In 2008, the Club announced a three-year investment totalling $100,000 towards the Foundation – a donation that made it possible for the organization to create a program to support men and women’s ice hockey. Two years ago, the Canadiens announced their renewed partnership with the Foundation with a donation of $250,000 to the organization spread out over five years (2010 to 2015), donating $50,000 each year.

As a result, Montreal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin presented twenty-eight $1,500 scholarships to hockey players between 15 and 17 years of age. Eight of the scholarships were given to female hockey players from Quebec’s provincial squad who are seeking to join the Canadian national team, while twenty scholarships were handed out to Midget AAA League players. The awards ceremony was held at the Bell Centre prior to the game between the Canadiens and the visiting Winnipeg Jets.

This year the Montreal Canadiens Bursary Program innovates with 10 Academic Excellence Bursaries awarded to student-athletes in hockey who achieved impressive academic results. Two received a Perseverance Bursary while 16 other students-athletes were awarded an Academic and Athletic Success Incitement Bursary. This serves as a reminder to athletes that scholastic performance remains an important eligibility criterion to better prepare for a post-athletic career.

“It is our duty, as a professional hockey club, to support the development of hockey as the next generation of players,” said Canadiens owner, President and CEO Geoff Molson. “Future professional hockey players are those who play their favourite game on rinks all over our province. We feel it is up to us to encourage them and provide them with the resources needed to succeed. Congratulations to all the recipients, it’s good to see their hard work on the ice and in the classroom being rewarded.”

“The Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence deeply supports young hockey players to do everything they can to continue on with their academic program and reach their goals. Particularly in the sport of hockey, many players dream about being drafted by a NHL team but statistics tend to demonstrate that many are called but few are chosen. Preparing for a plan B becomes essential in order for them to achieve their full potential professionally, outside their athletic career. The program also promotes serious and balanced hockey players as role models for the younger generation of hockey players“, said Claude Chagnon, President of the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence.

Recipients for 2013 were selected based on both their athletic and academic excellence while continuing their secondary or post-secondary education. The Montreal Canadiens Bursary Program is managed by the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence in partnership with Hockey Québec and the Midget AAA League. Hockey Québec General Manager Sylvain B. Lalonde and Midget AAA League President Gaston Therrien said they were very pleased with the support of the Montreal Canadiens and the work done by the Foundation to support young hockey players. “The Canadiens’ contribution to this bursary program, year after year, is a social commitment appreciated by both organizations and by the student-athletes. Their support reinforces our athletic and academic development goals for each player,” added Lalonde and Therrien.

THE 28 RECIPIENTS OF THE 2013 MONTREAL CANADIENS BURSARY PROGRAM

($1,500 scholarship to each of the 28 recipients)

About the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence

The Foundation’s mission is to provide financial support to performing student-athletes who also distinguish themselves in class and help them strive towards excellence as young role models in the Quebec society. Over the last five years, the Foundation has handed out over $3.4 million in bursaries to deserving student-athletes with more than $925.000 in 2012. Visit the Foundation’s website at www.faeq.com and like our Facebook page: FAEQ – Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence du Québec.