Bonnyville Pontiacs forward Tyler Blocha is the recipient of the 2024 Inter Pipeline AJHL Scholarship. The $1,500 scholarship is awarded to the player deemed most deserving among the applicants based on their proven qualities in the areas of leadership, sportsmanship, dedication and citizenship.
Blocha, 20, will attend the Chemical Engineering Technology Program at NAIT in the Fall of 2024. Tyler completed his junior hockey career with the hometown Pontiacs following 143 games in the AJHL since 2020.
“As a student at Ecole Notre Dame High School, Tyler demonstrated a dedication to his studies and always maintained high academic standing,” stated Vice-Principal Jeff Cey. “As a hockey athlete, he was very mindful of balancing his athletic preparations with maintaining his academic commitments. As a result, Tyler excelled both in his athletic endeavours while remaining at the top of his class academically.”
“Tyler is a polite and respectful young man and a positive influence amongst his peers. He consistently demonstrated positive leadership through his actions in the classroom and interactions with his peers and adults in the school. Since graduating, Tyler has also become a volunteer for our school hockey program assisting as an instructor for our grade 7-8 group with his Bonnyville Pontiacs coaches, giving back to a program that he was once a part of. His leadership and relationship building with the young players is inspirational for the kids and is a testament to Tyler’s leadership abilities.”
Tyler will take the lessons learned from hockey into the next step of his career, “Playing hockey since the age of four has shown me many key aspects that will positively impact my life in the future,” said Blocha. “From a leadership perspective, I have discovered how difficult it can be to take control of situations. It is hard to constantly show up and continually do the right thing, time and time again. However, it has taught me that consistency is key to success. After hockey, I’ll be able to apply this to my life and use it to help me achieve personal and communal goals in my chosen career, by continuing to do all the small things that add up, such as punctuality, accountability, and resilience.”
“Even though hockey is just a game to play, it has taught me many great lessons that I will continue to carry with me for the rest of my life.”
The Alberta Junior Hockey League and Inter Pipeline are proud to award Tyler Blocha with the 2024 Inter Pipeline AJHL Scholarship as a worthy ambassador of the long-standing partnership.