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Supporting Success On and Off the Ice
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) empowers students to achieve their highest potential — excelling as athletes, learners, and leaders. Through Education Services, students gain the guidance, tools, and opportunities necessary to balance elite-level hockey with academic and personal achievement.
Opportunity at the OHL means being surrounded by the best coaches, teammates, and academic supports while developing the skills and connections that open doors for future success — both on and off the ice.
Rostered Students: Academic & School Support
OHL Education Minimum Standards
- High School Completion: Graduate by age 19 (2+ courses/semester or 6+ courses/year).
- Post-Secondary Pathways: Complete one of: university/college/trade course, high school upgrading, or 12+ hours of OHL-approved microcredentials/certifications.
- Advisor Engagement: Know, access, and maintain communication with your Academic Advisor.
Education Financial Assistance
- High School Students – Up to $3,000 CAD toward tuition, books, and fees.
- High School Graduates – Up to $3,000 CAD toward tuition & compulsory fees.
- Overage Students – Tuition & compulsory fees up to scholarship entitlement (expenses deducted from first-year scholarship).
Academic Support & Tutoring
- 1–2 Academic Advisors per team
- Tutoring tailored to the progressive needs of each student
- Flexible practice schedules & access to educational technology
Key Benefits to Students:
- Personalized guidance to select courses and post-secondary paths that match each student’s goals
- Regular monitoring and feedback to ensure success in both academics and athletics
- Seamless coordination between students, parents/guardians, and General Managers to manage schedules, courses, and compliance
- Access to top-tier resources, tutoring, and educational supports that foster growth and unlock opportunities for the future
Future Focus Meetings
Mandatory for students in 3rd–5th year of eligibility; open to all students, parents, and agents. Covers:
- Academic requirements & supports
- Awards & benefits
- Post-secondary planning & U SPORTS rules
- Scholarships & transition pathways
OHL Fall Future Focus Meeting Presentation – October 14, 2025.
OHL Graduation Rate
- 99% of OHL students graduate high school (Ontario average = 84.3%).
OHL Scholarships & Post-Secondary Pathways
OHL Scholarship Program – 2024–25 Highlights
- 329 graduates used their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions.
- $42+ million contributed by OHL teams since 2010.
- 200+ alumni competed in U SPORTS men’s hockey; 30 accessed scholarships while playing professionally.
- Over $350,000 invested in current students taking post-secondary courses during 2024–25.
Where OHL Graduates are Studying (2024–25)
- Canadian Universities: 315 of 329 recipients
- Ontario: 173 (University of Guelph 21, Queen’s University 17, Toronto Metropolitan University 14)
- Eastern Canada: 55 (St. Francis Xavier University leads)
- Western Canada: 12
- Ontario Colleges: 13 (Conestoga College 3)
- American Universities: 14
Scholarship Benefits:
- Eligible to all OHL students
- Covers tuition for undergraduate degrees, diplomas, or approved career-advancement programs
- Applicable worldwide
- Provides the opportunity to learn in top post-secondary institutions and build networks that support future growth
Eligibility
- Must be a graduated OHL player
3 General Scholarship Rules:
- Activate your scholarship within 24 months of your OA-eligible year (18 months if under Pre-2025 Contract)
- Maintain full-time student status (minimum 3 courses per *term from September–April)
- Maintain full-time consecutive year enrollment in education
Updated OHL Scholarships Forms for Summer 2026 and Fall/Winter (Spring US) 2026-27 will be available March 16th, listed below:
- OHL Scholarship Activation Request Form
- Application for Use of OHL Scholarship at NCAA School Form (if on NCAA scholarhship)
- OHL Scholarship Letter Request Forms
- OHL Scholarship Reimbursement Claim Form
- OHL Scholarship Room and Board Claim Form
- OHL Scholarship Direct Deposit Update Form
Scholarship Use
- Tuition and compulsory fees only
- Paid directly to the education provider
- Valid for:
- Undergraduate degree
- College Diploma or Certificate
- Trade school
- OHL-approved career-advancing program
How This Supports “Excellence Unlocked”
Every OHL student competes at the top junior hockey level globally while receiving guaranteed support to pursue post-secondary education. Scholarships and academic programs demonstrate the league’s commitment to developing well-rounded individuals — excelling athletically, academically, and personally.
Opportunity at the OHL is about being surrounded by the best teammates, advisors, and coaches, opening doors to post-secondary success, professional networks, and lifelong growth.
David Branch Leadership Scholarship
Purpose & Eligibility
Honors David Branch, OHL Commissioner for 45 seasons. Supports Special Olympics Ontario Unified Champion School students showing leadership, commitment, and community impact.
- Active Unified Champion School student (athlete or Unified Partner)
- Last year of high school in Ontario or current post-secondary student
- Pursuing college, university, or recognized training program
- One-time award per recipient
Application & Selection
Application Requirements: Complete your application here
Selection Criteria: Leadership, teamwork, community involvement, commitment, and clarity of educational/career goals.
Deadline: July 25, 2025, 11:59 pm
Award Details
- Value: $5,000 per recipient (4 awards annually)
- Payment: Direct to school (or recipient in special cases)
- Recognition: OHL digital/social media & home game
TimeLine
- Applications Open: First week of June
- Applications Close: July 25
- Review & Selection: Aug / Early Sept
- Recipients Announced: Sept
- Funds Disbursed: Oct
Contacts:
- OHL: Julie Kuiken, [email protected], 416-299-8700 x421
- Special Olympics Ontario: Jason Hussak, [email protected], 1-888-333-5515 x279
OHL Academic Awards
These awards celebrate top academic performance across the league and reinforce the OHL’s culture of Excellence & Opportunity.
Photo by Josh Kim/OHL Images
Bobby Smith Trophy (Scholastic Player of the Year)
The Bobby Smith Trophy is awarded annually to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. The trophy is in honour of Bobby Smith, former Ottawa 67’s star who exhibited the standard of excellence required by the award. Each team’s nominee for the award becomes a member of the OHL Scholastic Team of the Year.
Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit claimed the award in 2025-26, achieving an 86 percent average in Grade 12 university-level courses at Oakville Trafalgar High School. Misa’s course load included Kinesiology, Functions, International Business and Health and Nutrition.
Misa’s standout season also earned him the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player as he led the CHL with 134 points before being selected second overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Photo by Josh Kim/OHL Images
Ivan Tennant Memorial Award (Top Academic High School Student)
The Ivan Tennant Memorial Award is given out each year to the top academic high school student in the OHL. The award is named in honour of Ivan Tennant who spent a lifetime combining hockey and education. He was the Kitchener Rangers’ Education Consultant for 20 years and a key figure on the OHL’s Academic Advisor’s Committee.
Saginaw Spirit defenceman Kaden Sienko from Binghamton, New York earned the award in 2025-26, producing a 98 percent average in Grade 11 studies at Heritage High School, mastering a course load that included English, History, Health, Biology and Co-op.
Photo by Josh Kim/OHL Images
Roger Neilson Memorial Award (Top Academic Post-Secondary Student)
The Roger Neilson Memorial Award is presented each year to recognize the top post-secondary player in the OHL. The Roger Neilson Memorial Award is named in honour of the Hall of Fame Coach. While coaching the Peterborough Petes in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, Neilson, a former high school teacher, was a pioneer in stressing the importance of education to all of his players.
Brantford Bulldogs overage defenceman Thomas Budnick from Petoskey, Michigan claimed the honour in 2025-26. Budnick excelled in studies at the University of Guelph, achieving an 86.2 percent average headlined by a 95 percent grade in Computer Science while also studying Microeconomics, Sport Management and Organizational Studies.
OHL Internship Opportunities
Internships extend the OHL experience beyond hockey and academics, surrounding students with top peers and mentors while opening doors for professional growth.
OHL League Office Internships
OHL Member Team Internships
Member Team Internships Opportunities
These programs provide students the chance to gain hands-on experience, develop leadership skills, and expand professional networks — surrounded by top peers and mentors, opening doors for career and personal growth beyond hockey.
Contact Us
Julie Kuiken
Director of Education Services, OHL
Phone: 416-299-8700 ext. 421
Email: [email protected]