Goaltender Michael Fredrick of the Brooks Bandits was awarded the Gas Drive AJHL Scholarship on Friday night as the Bandits opened the 2014 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs in Brooks, AB. Gas Drive President Brad Beebe presented Fredrick with the award during a pre-game ceremony in front of the hometown crowd of 1,800 fans.
The Gas Drive AJHL Scholarship Program provides one current or former AJHL Athlete with a $1,500 scholarship towards their post secondary education at the conclusion of each season. The scholarship is awarded to the player deemed most deserving among the sixteen applicants (one per AJHL team). Applicants were required to submit an essay describing what they have learned from playing hockey and how they can apply this in their lives after hockey.
Brooks Bandits General Manager and Head Coach Ryan Papaioannou praised Fredrick as a role model and invaluable leader. “Michael Fredrick has shown leadership throughout his three years in our program. His ability to stay calm under pressure and provide his teammates with consistent efforts is paramount in our team success. Michael leads by example with his work ethic and his time spent at the Tilley Hockey School as a Lead Instructor with their program.”
“Hockey has been a huge part of my life and always will be,” said Michael Fredrick. “Hockey has taught me about leadership and teamwork, both which have molded my values and have had, and will have, a tremendous impact on my life outside of hockey.”
“The AJHL is proud to continue its' relationship with Gas Drive Global as it’s' Championship Sponsor and we look forward to one of our members hoisting the Gas Drive Cup in April,” stated AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk. “Gas Drive's commitment to our League and our athletes goes beyond on-ice achievements as reflected by the creation of the Gas Drive Scholarship. I would like to congratulate this year's recipient, Michael Fredrick, for his dedication to our League and his club and am pleased to have him receive this award.”
The Alberta Junior Hockey League is proud to partner with Gas Drive as the title sponsor of the League Championship. The first AJHL Gas Drive Cup was awarded to the Brooks Bandits at the conclusion of the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs and will be the ultimate goal of every team for the next four seasons.