94.3 % of QMJHL players pursued their studies in 2007-08

BOUCHERVILLE, Wednesday, May 7, 2008 – The statistics from the fall 2007 and winter 2008 semesters reveal that 410 of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s 435 players pursued their education at a High School, <i>Cégep</i>, College or University during the 2007-08 season. Moreover, statistics from Quebec-based <i>Alliance Sport-Études (ASE)</i> show that a total of 313 (out of 374) classes were successfully completed (83.7% success rate) by the 147 players enrolled in <i>Cégep</i> last fall.

"We are definitely very pleased with these results," said Robert Baker, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s educational advisor. "<i>Alliance Sport-Études'</i> numbers clearly demonstrate that our players are as committed to succeeding in the classroom as they are to succeeding on the ice. The continuing education of our players remains a top priority for the League and its teams. We will continue to invest the necessary efforts to surpass our academic objectives."

<i>Alliance Sport-Études</i> statistics draw interesting comparables between the success rates of students enrolled in other sport-study programs and the general male student populace with QMJHL players (<i>Cégep</i>).

<u>2005</u>
– Success rate of male <i>Cégep</i> students: 72.1%
– Success rate of male <i>Cégep</i> students enrolled in other sport-study programs: 79.5%*
– Success rate of QMJHL players: 80.5%

<u>2006</u>
– Success rate of male <i>Cégep</i> students: 73.3%
– Success rate of male <i>Cégep</i> students enrolled in other sport-study programs: 70.2%*
– Success rate of QMJHL players: 79.8%*

*Students enrolled through <i>Alliance Sport-Études (ASE)</i> – Social Science program. Average of 3.15 classes per semester (QMJHL).

The success rate of QMJHL players attending <i>Cégep</i> has grown considerably over the last twenty years.

1985: 65%
1990: 70%
1995: 60%
2000: 75%
2005: 81%
2006: 85%
2007: 83.7%

"The cooperation between the QMJHL, its 18 member teams, <i>Alliance Sport-Études</i> and <i>Cégep@distance</i> has enabled players to benefit from the necessary tools and support they need to succeed in school. Considering a major junior hockey player’s hectic schedule, I find that these results are quite remarkable," commented Sébastien Fyfe, the Director of <i>Alliance Sport-Études</i>.

Of note, <i>Fondation Sport-Études</i> recently announced the big winners of its 2007-08 study grant program. Among the winners, four QMJHL players received bursaries. Maxime Provencher of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, a student in the Applied Sciences program at the <i>Cégep</i> in Chicoutimi, received top billing as he was named the 2007-08 Student-Athlete of the Year thanks to an 88% average. Also, three other players received Radio-Canada Olympic bursaries: Joël Gervais-Chouinard of the Victoriaville Tigres (Social Sciences program at the <i>Cégep</i> in Victoriaville), François Bouchard of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar (Human and Social Sciences program at the <i>Cégep</i> in Baie-Comeau) and Olivier Fortier of the Rimouski Océanic (Social Sciences program at the <i>Cégep</i> in Rimouski). The four players were selected after a careful analysis of their academic file.

The QMJHL also offers generous grants to students eager to pursue their education once their major junior career comes to a close.

"Last year, $396 000 were distributed amongst 98 players and we expect the amount to grow considerably in the next few years," stated the Commissioner, Gilles Courteau. "Our players’ well-being has and always will be our #1 priority and their academic success is certainly an important part of the equation, which is why the League and its member clubs invest so much effort into it."

To learn more about the QMJHL’s education policy, simply click on the link below:

<a href=" http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/navcache/getcontents.php?currentpath=/root/Éducation/Education_Policy_20071002.pdf" class="lnkBase10px"><b>Education Policy</b></a>

To visit the website of <i>Alliance Sport-Études</i>, click on the following link: <a href=" http://www.alliancesportetudes.ca/" class="lnkBase10px"><b>www.alliancesportetudes.ca
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