The Montreal Canadiens and Molson/Coors announce the Guy Lafleur Awards of Excellence and Merit for 2011-12
Tuesday, 05.06.2012 / 1:49 PM / News
canadiens.com
Press Release
MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens and Molson/Coors introduced today the recipients of the Guy Lafleur Awards of Excellence and Merit for the 2011-12 season. The awards are presented annually to hockey players at the amateur level who best combined hockey performances with academic excellence.
Pictured from left to right : Jocelyn Proteau, Alexandre Tardif, Guy Lafleur, Ryan McKiernan, Monique Depatie, Jonathan Brunelle and, Mathieu Darche.
The program was introduced in 1985 with the objective of encouraging sports and academic 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 2011-12
QUEBEC INTERUNIVERSITY SPORTS
Ryan McKiernan (McGill University Redmen)
Ryan McKiernan is an outstanding student and a skilled hockey player who played a pivotal role in the helping the McGill Redmen enjoy the team’s most successful season in team his history. The 6’ and 196 lbs defenseman from White Plains, NY, USA, brought leadership and character to the Redmen’s defensive core. Second in scoring among McGill defensemen 17 points, including eight goals, he helped the Redmen clinch a second consecutive Queen’s Cup as league champions before winning the club’s first CIS University Cup for the first time since it first took the ice 136 years ago. Ryan McKiernan has performed equally well in class. The second-year Management/Accounting student achieved a 3.65 grade point average (out of 4.0) earning six grades of “A”. In each of his first two season at McGill, he was awarded the Academic All-Canadian honours and qualified for the Principal’s Student-athlete Honour Roll. This past year, Ryan received the Uldis Auders Memorial Award, handed out to the most outstanding student-athlete in his sophomore year. Off the ice and away from the classroom, he is a charismatic and mature young man who manages to find the time to volunteer for a number of community service projects. In 2012, he participated in the Défi Canderel as part of a fundraising event to benefit the Goodman Cancer Research Centre. He also worked as a volunteer with the Divine Soirée Blanche in support of the René-Verrier Foundation, a non-profit organization with the objective of helping people suffering from cancer and their families in the greater Drummondville area.
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
Jonathan Brunelle (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Jonathan Brunelle hails from Boisbriand, on Montreal’s north shore, and is a 4-year QMJHL veteran, including the last one as captain of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. In his first season in Cape Breton in 2011-12, he recorded 85 points in only 68 regular season games and was a true leader for this young team leading by example both on and off the ice. By setting example with his work ethic, his enthusiasm and his desire, he showed all that he is willing to sacrifice personal success for that of the team. Recipient of the 2011-12 Marcel Robert Award as Academic Player of the Year in the QMJHL, Jonathan was also recognized as the Subway Scholastic Player of the Year at the CHL level for maintaining an exemplary academic file. Enrolled at CÉGEP Drummondville when he suited up with the Voltigeurs, Jonathan faced the challenge both as a player and a student when he was traded to Cape Breton. Not only did he fulfill his role as team captain, but he enrolled on the CEGEP@distance program and earned his collegiate diploma with an 85% grade point average while playing major junior hockey at a high level. Despite busy academic and hockey schedules, he manages to find the time to get involved in most team functions as well as personal initiatives. Last October 2011, in his hometown of Boisbriand, he organized a visit to an elementary school addressing the student on the importance of education while involved in a high performance sport. Jonathan Brunelle is an exceptional young man, a talented athlete and a dedicated student.
Recipient of the Guy Lafleur Award of Merit 2011-12
QUEBEC JUNIOR AAA HOCKEY LEAGUE
Alexandre Tardif (Princeville Titan)
Not only is Alexandre Tardif one of the top defensemen of the QAAAJHL, he is also an outstanding student. In 2011-12, Alexandre continued his stellar play maintaining a plus/minus ratio of +27 in 51 games with the Princeville Titan. He also contributed four goals and nine assists during the regular season and was instrumental in helping the Titan win the NAPA Cup, and earning the Central Canada Cup as a member of the QAAAJHL All-Star Team. A gifted hockey player selected captain of the QAAAJHL All-Star squad, Tardif is a product of Daveluyville, Quebec, who is also being recognized for his academic achievements. Enrolled in Nature Sciences at Champlain College-Lennoxville he achieved average grades of over 90% and was accepted to attend McGill University. Despite his young age, Alexandre is much aware of the difference one can make in the life of others and that is why, upon his arrival at McGill, he registered to work as a volunteer with the Office for Students with Disabilities, helping students with learning disabilities. Furthermore, he also found the time to get personally involved as the co-founder of 2AT, a foundation with the objective of providing help and support to young athletes in the Victoriaville area.
