Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Winners of the BR91 Scholarship.
The APMHA is proud to offer the BR91 Scholarship fund to individuals, who are current residents, actively involved with Ajax Pickering Minor Hockey Association.
Thank you to all the applicants who applied for the BR91 Scholarship. This year we tripled the number of applicants from last year, which is awesome to see. There were so many great essays and we appreciate everyone who took the time to apply!
Meet the Winners of this year's BR91 Award winners:
Kayd Stewart
"My experience as a timekeeper has given me a strong sense of attention to detail, multi-tasking and communication skills. Timekeeping was my first job, and over the years, I have developed an understanding of workplace expectations and being reliable. This experience has prepared me for the responsibilities I will face in my future trade career. Applying for this scholarship is very personal to me, as Brian was more than just a friend I played hockey with, he was like family. Losing him was a heartbreak I never could have prepared for and being able to apply for a scholarship in his name means more than words can express. "My experience as a timekeeper has given me a strong sense of attention to detail, multi-tasking and communication skills. Timekeeping was my first job, and over the years, I have developed an understanding of workplace expectations and being reliable. This experience has prepared me for the responsibilities I will face in my future trade career. Additionally, my role as an on-ice helper has allowed me to develop leadership skills. Guiding and assisting younger players has shown me the importance of patience and leading by example. These skills will be incredibly beneficial in my future trade career, where teamwork and leadership are critical for success."
Logan Tierney
"This organization has taught me so much about myself and who I want to be. I’ve learned how to teach kids to skate, shoot, cross-over, and also learned how to manage, direct, and help possibly the hardest groups of people, those being hockey parents. Though these experiences have included harder days, they have also taught me what I want to do. Through the tryout desk and being an office helper during tournaments I have taken an interest in all of the behind the scenes of the organization. I loved learning about the process I once dismissed. The scheduling of our ice time, teams, tournaments, practices, refs, timekeepers, etc and the management that it takes to ensure as many kids as possible get to play the sport everyone loves. Being given the opportunity to look at hockey and its community through this perspective has allowed me to realize I want to keep learning, helping and someday lead."
Owen Cranney
"The APMHA has been more than just an association to me, it has been a second home. From the moment I first laced up my skates, I was surrounded by teammates, coaches, and mentors who showed me what it means to work hard, support others, and never give up. But some of my proudest moments in hockey haven’t come from scoring goals or winning games, they’ve come from the moments when I was able to give back. Refereeing has taught me how to handle pressure with integrity, how to make split-second decisions with confidence, and how to manage conflict with fairness. Timekeeping has given me an appreciation for the details, for the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly. And teaching young kids to skate, watching their faces light up when they finally glide on their own, has shown me the joy of mentorship, of being the person who helps someone believe in themselves. Progressing to Captain of my peers in my final year of rep hockey has truly been an honor and further contributed to my personal skill development in leadership."
Liam Savage
"When I was six years old, my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I was playing house league at that time and my parents worried this would impact my ability to play. Every coach I have had during my years as a minor hockey player, they were nothing but supportive and encouraged me to play at very high levels. My teammates were also very supportive and always provided me with encouragement when I had lows during games and when I had to test my blood before, during and after games. My hockey experience and being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes has shaped me into the person I am today. It taught me discipline, how to be a good teammate, empathy, inclusivity, compassion, dedication, organization and the importance of working hard. Living with Type 1 Diabetes has been extremely difficult and hockey was my safe space and the one place I felt normal. I met my best friends through hockey who remain my best friends to this day.In addition to achieving honour roll in elementary school and high school, I gave back to my local Type 1 Diabetes community by volunteering at the Charles H Best Centre and was asked to be their Ambassador for several years and during Diabetes Awareness Month I would go on the local radio (CKDO) to discuss my experiences living with diabetes and how I manage my everyday so I can participate in activities that other kids get to participate in such as rep hockey, rep soccer, and varsity golf."
Thank you to everyone that took the time to participate!
- Ajax Pickering Minor Hockey Association