Preparing for Success Beyond the WHL

The Kelowna Rockets are committed to supporting our players not only in their hockey development, but in their academic pursuits and long-term career success. Through the Western Hockey League Scholarship Program, players who complete their WHL careers are eligible for fully funded post-secondary education.

This program allows our graduates to continue competing at the highest levels of university hockey in Canada or the United States, while also pursuing meaningful academic goals.

The WHL Scholarship Program

The WHL Scholarship is one of the most comprehensive post-secondary support systems in junior hockey. It is fully guaranteed by the league and available to every player who plays in the WHL and does not sign a professional contract immediately after their WHL career.

Each season played in the WHL earns one full year of scholarship benefits, including:

  • Tuition and compulsory fees

  • Required textbooks

  • Eligibility for use at any recognized post-secondary institution in Canada or the United States

Thousands of WHL alumni have successfully transitioned to university or college with the support of this program, including many Kelowna Rockets graduates.

Post-WHL Education Pathways

Once players graduate from the WHL, they are eligible to continue their hockey careers and pursue academics through USports, the ACAC, and the NCAA.

USports

USports is the most common destination for WHL alumni in Canada. Players continue their competitive hockey careers while attending some of the top universities in the country.

Examples of USports programs:

  • University of British Columbia (UBC)

  • University of Alberta

  • University of Saskatchewan

  • Mount Royal University

  • University of Calgary

Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC)

The ACAC provides a competitive hockey environment while offering programs in trades, technical training, and applied degrees.

Examples of ACAC institutions:

  • Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

  • Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)

  • Red Deer Polytechnic

  • Concordia University of Edmonton

NCAA Division I (United States)

With the recent eligibility changes, our players can now consider NCAA Division I programs, expanding their opportunities to combine elite hockey with academic pursuits in the U.S. once they fulfill their scholarship agreement.

Academic Support During Your WHL Career

While in Kelowna, players receive academic support to ensure continued progress in their education. We work closely with local high schools and online education providers to accommodate hockey schedules while maintaining academic performance.

Our education advisor assists with:

  • High school course scheduling and graduation planning

  • University and college applications

  • NCAA eligibility support

  • SAT/ACT preparation and academic goal setting

We ensure each player leaves our program prepared for both academic and athletic success.

Alumni Spotlight

Numerous Rockets alumni have gone on to thrive in post-secondary hockey and education programs:

  • Conner McDonald – UBC Thunderbirds (USports)

  • Trevor Wong – University of Saskatchewan (USports)

  • Jake Lee – UBC Thunderbirds (USports)

  • Dylan Wightman – University of Toronto (USports)

These individuals exemplify the balance of excellence in both sport and education that we strive to provide every Rocket.