By Joelle Wood
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that a total of 331 graduates utilized their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions during the 2023-24 academic year. OHL member teams made a total contribution of over $3.2 million to the OHL Scholarship Program.
A total of 228 OHL graduates competed in the U SPORTS Men’s Hockey ranks this season, while an additional 26 accessed their scholarships while playing professionally.
Centrally administered through the OHL Office, OHL Scholarships are funded by OHL member teams. Every player who plays in the OHL is eligible to receive an OHL Scholarship. The OHL graduate can utilize their scholarship worldwide at any post-secondary institution or in any career-enhancing program of their choice, including trade schools or professional career training programs.
In addition to alumni accessing their OHL Scholarship following graduation from the League, all current OHL players are encouraged to enrol in post-secondary courses with costs fully covered by OHL member teams. Team investment in scholarships being accessed by current OHL players was approximately $450,000 during the 2023-24 season.
“Investing in the OHL Scholarship Program is a key part of the player experience, and it’s something that the OHL and its member teams take great pride in,” said Commissioner David Branch. “The education of our current and former players is crucial for their growth, and helping them achieve their academic goals is a top priority for our League. The OHL continues to source talent to both the National Hockey League and U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Programs, highlighting our dedication to developing well-rounded individuals on and off the ice.”
This year, 310 of the 331 OHL Scholarship recipients are furthering their education at Canadian Universities. A total of 183 graduates are attending Ontario-based Universities with the University of Guelph leading all post-secondary institutions with 22 OHL graduates enrolled in full-time studies, while 16 former OHL players are enrolled at Queen’s University and 15 are studying at Toronto Metropolitan University. A total of 64 OHL graduates are attending Universities in Eastern Canada with the University of New Brunswick and University of Prince Edward Island each leading the way in enrolment. Thirteen graduates have accessed their OHL Scholarship at Universities in Western Canada while three have attended Universities in Quebec.
A total of 25 OHL Scholarship recipients are attending Ontario-based Colleges with Conestoga College and Humber College each leading the way with three graduates.
A total of 20 OHL graduates are accessing their OHL Scholarship while studying at American-based post-secondary institutions while one is enrolled in an institution outside of North America.
OHL member teams have invested in excess of $33 million into the OHL Scholarship Program over the past 10 seasons.
About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
