Three student athletes honored
Wednesday, 01.06.2011 / 1:03 PM / News
Montreal Canadiens
PRESS RELEASE
MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens and Molson/Coors introduced today the recipients of the Guy Lafleur Awards of Excellence and Merit for the 2010-11 season. The awards are presented annually to hockey players at the amateur level who best combined hockey performances with academics excellence.
The program was introduced in 1985 with the objective of encouraging sports and academics excellence for players competing in all three major amateur hockey leagues in the province of Quebec; the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), member schools of the Canadian Interuniversity Sports in Quebec (CIS) and the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League (QJAAAL). Honorees are selected by a jury made of representatives from the sports media, the hockey and education communities. Molson/Coors awards recipients of the Guy Lafleur Awards of Excellence a $6,000 scholarship over a 3-year period, and the beneficiary of the Guy Lafleur Awards of Merit earns a $1,000 scholarship.
Recipients of the Guy Lafleur Awards of Excellence 2010-11
QUEBEC INTERUNIVERSITY SPORTS
Francis Verreault-Paul (McGill University Redmen)
Francis Verreault-Paul may be small in stature but he delivers big on the ice and in the classroom with outstanding stats and grades. Only the second native ever to play for the Redmen hockey team, Francis was voted the league’s most outstanding player as a sophomore last year, and repeated as the top goal-scorer in the country tallying 28 goals in only 19 regular season games. Twice voted McGill athlete of the week in 2010-11, he received the same honour at the Quebec Conference level (RSEQ) and at the CIS before being selected on the OUA All-Star team. Francis Verreault-Paul played a pivotal role in helping the Redmen win the Queen’s Cup league championship for a second straight season in 2011. His academic achievements were equally remarkable improving his cumulative grade-point average in each successive year achieving an average grade of 3.13 (out of 4.0), which is the equivalent of almost 80%. A dedicated athlete and an accomplished student, the former captain of the QMJHL Chicoutimi Saguenéens has always been generous with his time when it comes to lending a helping hand. He has worked as a volunteer coach at the Mashteuiatsh Summer Hockey Camp since 2008 and was a regular visitor at the Chicoutimi Hospital.
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
Nicolas Therrien (Saguenéens de Chicoutimi)
A 21-year old defenseman who captained the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in 2010-11, Nicolas Therrien also studied economy and management at Cégep de Chicoutimi. Recognized by his teachers and peers for his ability to achieve success both on the ice and in the classroom, Therrien had an impressive grade average of 89%. He earned the playerstudent of the month award in October 2010 and was presented with the Marcel Robert Award as the QMJHL Scholastic Player of the Year. The 5’ 10’’ and 185 lbs defenseman who plays with poise and maturity is not flamboyant but he is highly efficient. A steady blueliner he contributed offensively as well with 44 points (12 goals and 22 helpers) in 68 regular season games. Off the ice, Nicolas led by example attending several community events and supporting worthy causes, including the fight against cancer. He also helped raise funds for the Grande Guignolée and was a regular participant at several local blood drives, and visited the children at the pediatrics department of the Chicoutimi Hospital.
Recipient of the Guy Lafleur Award of Merit 2010-11
QUEBEC JUNIOR AAA HOCKEY LEAGUE
Guillaume Langelier-Parent (Collège Français de Longueuil)
A 21-year old centerman with outstanding goal scoring skills, Guillaume Langelier-Parent was an offensive sparkplug with the Collège Français de Longueuil in 2010-11. The native of Lery, in the lower townships, scored 25 goals and a total of 63 points in 42 games last season. He didn’t let off in the playoffs adding another 26 points, including 7 goals, in a mere 16 games. His offensive contribution helped his team clinch the Sher-Wood division title before earning the NAPA Cup. Enrolled at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit, he graduated in Nature Sciences in winter 2010 with an average grade of 84%. Guillaume moved on to McGill University where as a part-time student in the Civil Engineering program he earned an A- in his first semester. Success in the classroom is not a novelty for Guillaume who was the Scholastic Personality of the Year back in 2007, while playing with the Midget AAA Patriotes. Away from the rink and the classroom, Guillaume likes to do his share in the community. Since 2008, he has volunteered in a home for the elderly and has raised non-perishable food items for the Grande Guignolée.
(Photo: Graham Hughes / THE CANADIAN PRESS)