WHL announces East Division Academic Spotlight for December

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the East Division Academic Spotlight for December, featuring defenceman Jonny Lambos of the Brandon Wheat Kings, defenceman Daemon Hunt of the Moose Jaw Warriors, forward Jakob Brook of the Prince Albert Raiders, forward Logan Nijhoff of the Regina Pats, forward Tristen Robins of the Saskatoon Blades, and forward Eric Houk of the Swift Current Broncos.

During the months of November through February, each of the WHL’s 22 member Clubs will name an Academic Achiever, as selected by the Club’s Education Advisor. Each month, one WHL Division will have its Academic Achievers celebrated in the Academic Spotlight:

Academic Spotlight Schedule
November – B.C. Division
December – East Division
January – Central Division
February – U.S. Division
WHL players recognized as Academic Achievers are observed as those striving to reach their full potential in their educational programs while balancing WHL commitments.

Jakob Brook, Prince Albert Raiders: Rookie forward Jakob Brook, a 16-year-old product of Roblin, Man., is providing outstanding academic results as a Grade 11 student at Carlton Comprehensive Public High School in English, Physical Science, and Native Studies.

“Jakob is an outstanding Grade 11 student who has excelled in his academic studies this year,” said Geraldine Arpin, Education Advisor for the Raiders. “His work ethic, maturity, and diligence to his class work make him an exemplary leader for those around him.”

Brook has been part of a strong rookie class playing a part in the success of the league-leading Raiders, recording seven points (4G-3A), including one short-handed goal, in 36 games with the Raiders. Jakob is also the brother of Moose Jaw Warriors captain Josh Brook and Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Aidan Brook.

 

Jonny Lambos, Brandon Wheat Kings: Rookie defenceman Jonny Lambos, an 18-year-old product of Winnipeg, Man., is excelling in Grade 12, earning high marks in Chemistry, English, and Pre-Calculus at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School in Brandon.

“Johnny is a mature and responsible student,” said Glenda Zelmer, Education Advisor for the Wheat Kings. “His leadership on the ice reflects his approach in the classroom”
In 25 games this season, Lambos has recorded a pair of assists. A product of the Rink Hockey Academy Prep program in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, Lambos posted 28 points (5G-23A) in 36 games during the 2017-18 CSSHL Regular Season.

Daemon Hunt, Moose Jaw Warriors: Rookie defenceman Daemon Hunt, a 16-year-old from Brandon, Man., is taking the next step forward in his education at Vanier Collegiate Institute, demonstrating a quick learning ability in Grade 11 courses English Language Arts, Health Sciences, Christian Ethics, and Mathematics.

“Daemon is a conscientious student; one who advocates for learning and contributes positively to class discussion,” noted Rose Mary Hartney, Education Advisor for the Warriors. “He carefully ensures to understand every concept and asks questions when he doesn’t understand. He is proud of his work and submits quality assignments.”

Hunt is also excelling on the ice with the Warriors, posting 16 points (4G-12A) in 35 games this season, giving him 18 points (5G-13A) in 44 games for his WHL career. Hunt recently participated in the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, playing with Canada Black.

 

Logan Nijhoff, Regina Pats: Second-year forward Logan Nijhoff, a 17-year-old product of Comox, B.C., is thriving in the classroom at Michael A. Riffel Catholic High School in Regina, succeeding in English Language Arts, Chemistry, and Pre-Calculus at the Grade 12 level.

“Logan’s ability to balance his academic and hockey commitments is a direct result of his work ethic, determination to succeed, and time-management skills,” said Dwayne Hinger, Education Advisor for the Pats. “It gives me great pleasure to know and work with him.”

The second-year forward has appeared in 40 games this season recording 11 points (3G-8A) and has 17 points (6G-11A) in 70 WHL regular season games with the Pats.

Tristen Robins, Saskatoon Blades: Rookie forward Tristen Robins, a 17-year-old product of Brandon, Man., is gaining academic confidence in the FLEX Program at City Park Collegiate, taking Grade 12 courses in Accounting, Pre-Calculus, and English.

“Tristen is a hard-working, self-motivated student,” said City Park vice-principal Tommy Williams. “He makes school a top priority and his commitment to his classes is reflected in his work.”

As Robins has excelled in his first full season at the WHL level, so to have the Blades, ranked third overall in the entire WHL. In 45 games with the Blades, Robins has 13 points (6G-7A) this season after recording a single assist in four games last season. He presently sits second in rookie scoring on the Blades.

Eric Houk, Swift Current Broncos: Rookie forward Eric Houk, a 17-year-old product of Regina, Sask., is succeeding academically at Swift Current Comprehensive High School, posting top marks in Chemistry and English Language Arts as part of his Grade 12 studies.

“Eric is a determined and diligent student; he is always prepared and engaged in his classes,” said Tracey Martin, Education Advisor for the Broncos. “Eric also shows maturity in how he balances his schoolwork and his time on the ice.”

Playing with the defending WHL Champion Broncos, Houk has three points (2G-1A) in 28 games and scored the first goal of his WHL career on October 5, 2018 against his hometown Regina Pats.

WHL Academic Achievers – December

Club	Player Name	School/Institution
Calgary	Riley Fiddler-Schultz	The Edge School
Edmonton	Logan Dowhaniuk	Salisbury Composite High School
Kootenay	Zac Patrick	Kootenay Educational Services
Lethbridge	Noah Boyko	Chinook High School
Medicine Hat	Eric Van Impe	Medicine Hat High School
Red Deer	Ryan Gottfried	St. Gabriel Outreach Centre
Kamloops	Kyrell Sopotyk	Valleyview Secondary
Kelowna	Kaedan Korczak	Kelowna Secondary
Prince George	Josh Curtis	Athabasca University
Vancouver	Evan Patrician	South Delta Secondary School
Victoria	Brock Gould	BJU Press Distance Learning
Everett	Dustin Wolf	National University Virtual High School
Portland	Robbie Fromm-Delorme	Sunset High School
Seattle	Jared Davidson	Kentwood High School
Spokane	Cordel Larson	Joel E. Ferris High School
Tri-City	Paycen Bjorklund	Kamiakin High School

Fully funded by WHL member Clubs, all current WHL players are encouraged to enroll in post-secondary courses. This season, over 160 current players are taking post-secondary courses while playing in the WHL. The financial assistance received for post-secondary studies while playing does not impact on the WHL Scholarship benefits a WHL player is entitled to upon graduating from the League.

Every player who plays in the WHL is eligible to receive the WHL Scholarship. For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a guaranteed, full-year WHL Scholarship, including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees to a post-secondary institution of their choice. The WHL Scholarship is a fully-guaranteed academic scholarship with no requirement to play university hockey to qualify.

About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 350 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.