Sunday, March 10, 2013

Scott Bolland Awarded Gas Drive AJHL Scholarship

Press Release

 Okotoks Oilers defenceman, Scott Bolland, is the first recipient of the Gas Drive AJHL Scholarship.  Gas Drive General Manager Rob Krauss and Oilers Governor Wayne Lauinger presented Bolland with the award tonight prior to the Oilers first game of the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs.

The new Gas Drive AJHL Scholarship Program will provide one current or former AJHL Athlete with a $1,500 scholarship towards their post secondary education at the conclusion of each season.  The scholarship is awarded to the player deemed most deserving among the sixteen applicants (one per AJHL team).  Applicants were required to submit an essay describing what they have learned from playing hockey and how they can apply this in their lives after hockey.

Scott Bolland is a three year veteran of the Okotoks Oilers and a native of Osoyoos, BC.  "I have learned a great deal about life from hockey and continue to learn as I embark on a new journey in my life following this season when attending SAIT,” stated Bolland in his required essay.  “My goal is to become an Instrumentation Engineer and work in the Oil and Gas industry within Alberta.”

“Scott Bolland is an excellent hockey player but is an even better person,” said Oilers General Manager and Head Coach James Poole.  “As a coach, I can say that Scott displays great character in times of adversity, be it team or individually related. Scott has overcome injuries, team turmoil, team and individual slumps and always maintained a positive team first attitude while raising his level of play at the most critical and pressure filled times.”

“Off the ice and away from the rink, Scott Bolland is a very well respected ambassador for the Okotoks Oilers hockey program. Scott regularly attends and volunteers his time to help with Okotoks Minor Hockey teams, D.A.R.E graduation ceremonies and Okotoks elementary school learn to read programs.”

“Scott is a very worthy recipient for the Gas Drive AJHL Scholarship because he displays great character, is a great ambassador within the community, and as reflected by his grades at the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, is a great student-athlete that is able to successfully balance his studies and extracurricular activities.”

The Alberta Junior Hockey League is proud to partner with Gas Drive as the title sponsor of the League Championship.  The first AJHL Gas Drive Cup will be awarded to the AJHL Champion at the conclusion of the 2013 Playoffs and will be the ultimate goal of every team for the next five seasons.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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