A number of young hockey players across Ontario have been awarded bursaries from the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), including one player from East Gwillimbury.
Aidan Canning was awarded the $1,250 Wally Scott Bursary as part of OMHA’s post-secondary bursary program.
Jakob Pedersen of Oakville received the same award.
On top of the two players who are awarded the Wally Scott Bursary every year, the OMHA also awards five players with a Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) bursary worth $8,000.
The program recognizes minor hockey players for their contributions to their community, as well as their success in school and athletics.
“DFO is happy to partner with the OMHA as part of our MilkUp program, which was created with youth success in mind. Under the MilkUP brand, we commit to providing a meaningful, measurable and enduring effect on youth sports and highlight the benefits of milk in a healthy, active lifestyle at all ages and skill levels,” said Cheryl Smith, chief executive officer at DFO. “The bursary program will recognize some of the outstanding Ontario youth athletes who demonstrate MilkUPs values: perseverance, originality and heart.”
One of the $8,000 bursary recipients is Dylan Pergentile, who, with an average of 98.83 per cent, had the highest average ever in the 26-year history of his school in Grimsby.
Another recipient, Henry Stephenson of Lindsay, also had a 98 per cent average in school and on top of playing hockey, he decided to learn Mandarin, is a level 10 piano player in the Royal Conservatory of Music, and plays a number of other sports.
“Henry’s on a different path than most. He’s an elite young man and he’s going to do amazing things. It wouldn’t shock me if one day we’re all working for him,” said his coach Trevor Catherwood.
Loyalist Jets player Aidan Proderick was another recipients, along with Luke Bailey of Lambeth and Oakville’s Evan Muller.
OMHA will announce when applications are open for the 2022 bursary program later this season.
