Desjardins, Gweon and Truchon announced as winners of the 2023 Dr. Sylvain-Simard Award
The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) today revealed the three recipients of the 2023 Dr. Sylvain-Simard Award: Émile Desjardins of Val-d’Or Foreurs (Gold Award), Andrew Gweon of the Quebec Remparts (Silver Award), and Charle Truchon of the Rimouski Océanic (Bronze Award).
Established in December 2019, the “Dr. Sylvain-Simard Award” pays tribute to the former player and current doctor of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, Sylvain Simard. Administered through the QMJHL Foundation, the award supports three students enrolled in science programs such as mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics.
The grant amounts are distributed as follows:
- Gold Award: $2,500
- Silver Award: $1,500
- Bronze Award: $1,000
Desjardins is studying applied sciences at CÉGEP de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, maintaining an impressive overall average of 95%. During the 2022-2023 season, the 19-year-old from Amos, QC completed nine classes, including five science classes, with an outstanding average of 96%.
Gweon, a university student, completed online courses at Dalhousie University and the University of New Brunswick in 2022-2023. Out of a total of four classes, three were science-related, and the Fredericton, NB native completed them with exceptional A+ results in each of them.
Truchon pursued an applied sciences program at CÉGEP Limoilou in 2022-2023. He completed four science classes, maintaining a stellar average of 96%. The Matane, QC native was also named the QMJHL Scholastic Player of the Year in 2021-2022.
About Dr. Sylvain Simard
Born in 1964, Dr. Sylvain Simard is a QMJHL alumnus and general practitioner. He played four seasons in the League with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens and the Shawinigan Cataractes in the early ’80s. Selected in the first round by the Sags in 1981, he registered an impressive 93 goals and 197 points in 189 regularseason games. Following his junior career, he pursued his education at McGill University, obtaining his doctorate in 1991.
