Drew Toner of the Grand Falls Rapids has recently been presented with his Bob Boucher Hockey Assistance Fund (BBHAF) scholarship during a pre-game ceremony at the E. & P. Sénéchal Centre. It was presented by Anne Sénéchal, who is on the Education Committee for the Rapids. Toner was announced as the winner of the BBHAF scholarship for the 2019-20 season in June.
The late Mr. Boucher was a coach and executive, working at levels ranging from Nova Scotia Intermediate to the NHL over the course of his long career. The scholarship was established in his name several years ago by a number of Mr. Boucher’s former players as a means to support students within the game who have displayed exceptional scholastic achievements. He was inducted into the SMU Hall of Fame in 1998, having coached the Huskies for 13 years and leading the team to the National Championship game in four consecutive seasons from 1970 to 1973.
Toner enrolled at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in September 2018 with an eye on a degree in bio-mechanical engineering and plans to eventually study sports medicine. In his time with the Rapids, he has been involved in a number of initiatives in the community, including serving as assistant coach of a local Atom A team and as a motivational speaker for the local francophone high school hockey team. Toner also takes part in the team’s “Raplecture” program, which helps local students with their reading, and acts as a tutor for students and teammates alike.
Previous winners of the Bob Boucher Hockey Assistance Fund Scholarship:
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- 2018-19 – Gabriel Vanier (Edmundston Blizzard)
- 2017-18 – Luke MacMillan (Truro Bearcats)
- 2016-17 – Sam Cameron (Woodstock Slammers)
- 2015-16 – Thomas Stavert (Summerside Western Capitals)
- 2014-15 – Lucas Sangster (Amherst Ramblers)