The MHL Is proud to announce St. Stephen Aces goaltender Jack Grant as this year’s winner of the league’s Scholastic Player of the Year Award.
The award, sponsored by RBC, is presented to a worthy recipient in each member league of the CJHL. As this year’s winner, Grant will receive a $1000 bursary courtesy of RBC and will automatically qualify as a finalist for the $5000 national award, which will be presented to player judged to be the top student athlete in the CJHL.
“The MHL and our teams can never stress enough the importance we place on education for our players,” league President Brian Whitehead explained. “As we continually strive to be a league of choice for players in our region, we also recognize the importance of having out players graduate from the league as well-rounded individuals. The MHL congratulates Jack Grant on this well deserved award.”
Grant, a 19 year old from Fredericton, recently completed his second full season in the MHL and first with the Aces. Despite a 10-24-1 record for the rebuilding Aces, Grant was arguably his team’s top performer on a consistent basis. He recorded an .898 save percentage and one shutout on the season, a year in which he averaged nearly 40 shots against per 60 minutes played.
In the classroom, Grant can lay claim to numerous accomplishments. The netminder took home highest academic average honors both in his Grade 10 and 12 years at Fredericton’s Leo Hayes High School. During his Grade 10 and 11 years, Grant achieved a grade of 91 percent or higher in 16 of his 17 courses over that time period. In addition, he has made a positive impact on his recently adopted hockey home. Between devoting time to such initiatives as the St. Stephen Chamber of Commerce, St. Stephen Minor Hockey, the Edge Above Skating Program and the breakfast program at a local elementary school, just to name a few, Grant’s dedication to the game, the classroom and the community has been nothing short of phenomenal.
“Our organization strives to make education a priority during the hockey season, and we congratulate Jack on this accomplishment,” said Aces Team Vice-President Chris Horne. “Jack’s dedication to his on ice development and off ice education make him an ideal candidate for this award. The entire Aces organization is proud of him for this accomplishment.”
Grant will be honored with a formal presentation at a later date. The MHL wishes to congratulate Jack on this well-deserved accomplishment.
The winner of the Bob Boucher Hockey Assistance Fund bursary will be announced at a later date. As well, the winners of the final three league awards – the MHL Community Spirit Award, the Roger Meek Executive of the Year Award and the Moe Bent Builder’s Award – will be revealed at this year’s MHL Draft in Berwick next month.
Will MacLaren – themhl.ca