Monday, October 7, 2013

Canuck Alumni and BCHL celebrate education milestone

Press Release

The Vancouver Canuck Alumni and BC Hockey League will join forces next week to celebrate their success in funding almost half a million dollars in post-secondary education scholarships in a program that has quietly been in operation for more than a quarter of a century.

Conceived in the late 1980’s as a way for the Alumni’s parent organization, The B.C. Hockey Benevolent Association, to assist young hockey players with their college and university studies, the Scholarship Program has grown to help players, athletic trainers and coaches maintain their involvement in hockey and other sports while pursuing their post-secondary studies.

Presented by Scotiabank and the Dueck Auto Group, the inaugural Canuck Alumni/BC Hockey League Scholarship Appreciation Dinner has been timed to coincide with the BCHL’s Governors’ annual meetings at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond. Next Monday evening’s dinner will bring together BCHL team representatives and post-secondary leaders from all parts of the province as well as members of the business community.

Special guests in attendance will include past and present players who have benefitted from the Scholarship Program, along with such notable members of the Vancouver Canuck Alumni as Ryan Walter, Darcy Rota, Doug Bodger and Canucks “Ring of Honour” inductees Thomas Gradin and Harold Snepsts.

Hockey Hall-Of-Famer Jim Robson will serve as the evening’s emcee, with B.C. Sports Hall of Fame member and BCHL editorial consultant Bernie Pascall hosting a “hot stove” panel discussion featuring two of the Vancouver hockey legends credited with creating and administering the program, UBC Thunderbirds alumnus Mickey McDowell and former Canucks captain and coach Orland Kurtenbach.

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

No comments: