Friday, November 25, 2011

THE COMMISSIONER OF THE QMJHL AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF INDUSTRY DES BOIS-FRANC

Press Release

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) unveiled on October 26th an unprecedented glimpse into the League, releasing both an economic impact study conducted over the past several months by Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton (RCGT), as well as a social responsibility report that underscores the League’s impact on the communities in which it operates.

RCGT’s study indicates that with an operating budget of close to $40 million, the League generates significant direct and indirect economic benefits, as well as quality employment.  For the 2009-2010 season alone, these benefits total more than $86 million in terms of production.  For the same season, the League’s activities created or maintained the equivalent of 651 full-time jobs. 

Over the next five years, RCGT’s study reveals that the League will generate total economic benefits of $1.15 billion, of which $595 million will be allocated to the construction of new arenas.  In doing so, the League will be able to create and sustain nearly 12,000 jobs, resulting in fiscal benefits of nearly $80 M.
For the League’s Commissioner, Gilles Courteau, “the results of this study confirm that the League is an economic lever in Quebec and in the Maritimes.  The League is over 42 years old, it has led young players to the highest levels of hockey and today, this study shows that we are also contributing to the prosperity of our society.”

Social and community involvement

Not only does the League contribute to the economic well-being of the community, it also stands out for its support for many causes.  In the social responsibility report that it unveiled, the League underscores its firm commitment to the fight against breast cancer and its annual work to honour Veterans’ Week.
Moreover, referring to the report, Mr. Courteau emphasized the important role of the teams’ community involvement throughout the regions across Quebec and the Maritimes.

“Last season, all of the League’s teams contributed to supporting the work of community groups in their markets.  On average, each team devoted close to 325 hours in volunteer work during the season,” said Gilles Courteau.

“A large number of our players visited schools and met elementary school pupils and high school students to encourage them to continue their studies.  Some were also active with organizations who work with children, while others gladly sponsored the activities of local branches of groups such as Centraide, the United Way, Hema-Quebec, Opération Nez Rouge or the Canadian Red Cross.  On the whole, our players did more than their fair share to support the vitality of their communities,” he added.

School and academic success

In addition to providing a platform to reach the National Hockey League (NHL) and other professional hockey leagues, the QMJHL also wanted to emphasize its efforts for providing a strong support network for its players.

For the 2010-2011 season, 97% of the League’s North American players were enrolled in an academic or technical school program.  For the same season, the success rate for those enrolled in high school was almost 99%.

Players enrolled at the college level achieved success rates of close to 85%.  These types of results have been the norm for the past several years in the League.
 
“The League’s requirement for academic attendance has resulted in players continuing and successfully completing their studies in the programme of their choice.  Our rates of school attendance are far higher than those for Quebec, particularly concerning drop-out rates: currently, one out of three boys do not complete high school.  We are particularly proud of the off-ice performance of our athletes,” said the Commissioner.
The report also features the League’s scholarship program, which it created for players who wish to pursue their studies following their hockey career.  To date, close to $8 million has been awarded and for the 2010-2011 season alone, the League’s commitments total close to $500,000 in scholarships for 129 former players.

Programs for the players’ health and safety 

Finally, the League’s Social Responsibility Report reiterates its commitment to player health and safety, a commitment on which it delivered by implementing a player assistance programme to help them better manage challenges, an anti-doping policy and an anti-violence policy.

The Commissioner reiterated the League’s new rules to ban head shots and for the use of equipment approved by the National Hockey League.  Mr. Courteau also repeated his commitment to putting an end to fighting and vicious hits, and confirmed that this has been submitted to the League’s Board of Governors, who intend to continue to reinforce the League’s regulations accordingly.   

About the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League


The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s mission is to develop players for professional hockey while supporting them throughout their academic endeavours in order to mould them into responsible and educated citizens. It must offer high entertainment value within a profitable framework in order to ensure the continued success of its activities.


(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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