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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2020

Calgary, Alta. – The Western
Hockey League announced today the Academic Spotlight for December, featuring
the Central Division. Student athletes recognized this month for their academic
achievements include forward Adam Kydd of the Calgary Hitmen, forward Jake
Neighbours of the Edmonton Oil Kings, forward Noah Boyko of the Lethbridge
Hurricanes, defenceman Dru Krebs of the Medicine Hat Tigers, forward Dallon
Melin of the Red Deer Rebels, and defenceman Hendrik De Klerk of the Swift
Current Broncos.
During the months of November through February, each of the WHL’s 22 member
Clubs will name a student-athlete that has achieved significant academic
results as selected by the Club. Each month, one WHL Division will have their
players celebrated in the Academic Spotlight:
Academic Spotlight
Schedule
November – East Division
December – Central Division
January – U.S. Division
February – B.C. Division
WHL players recognized as Academic Achievers are observed as those striving to
reach their full potential in their educational programs while balancing WHL
commitments.
Adam Kydd, Calgary
Hitmen: Rookie forward Adam Kydd, a 17-year-old product of
Regina, Sask., is taking his learning to new heights at the Edge School.
Succeeding academically in English and Calculus, Kydd has become involved with
his local community as well.
“Kidd has served his community by contributing to the Ever Active Resiliency
Summit,” said Hitmen Academic Advisor Bernie Bajnok. “He has shown academic
leadership in the classroom and in the sporting world, serving as an Equipment
Fitter for Super Heroes Equipment Fit as well as taking on a role with the
Hockey Calgary Leadership day.”
Kydd represented the Hitmen in his hometown at the 2019 WHL Prairie Classic,
helping his Hitmen earn an overtime victory in the third-ever outdoor game in
WHL history. Through 33 games this season, Kydd has recorded 10 points (5G-5A).
Jake Neighbours,
Edmonton Oil Kings: Forward Jake Neighbours, a 17-year-old
product of Airdrie, Alta., is committed to his educational goals at Salisbury
Composite High School. Enrolled in Math, Social Studies, and Leadership
courses, Neighbours is furthering his academic pursuits while also succeeding
on the ice.
“While playing a leading role on the ice, Jake is still committed to his
academic pursuits,” said Oil Kings Academic Advisor Sharon Sereda. “He is
setting a strong educational example for other players with the Oil Kings.”
With the league-leading Oil Kings, Neighbours ranks second in team scoring with
46 points (15G-31A) through 44 games this season, also tying him for 17th
in league scoring. Neighbours has also garnered considerable interest for the
2020 NHL Draft and was recently ranked 30th among North American
skaters by NHL Central Scouting on their midterm rankings.
Noah Boyko, Lethbridge
Hurricanes: The second-year forward is a product of Fort
Saskatchewan, Alta. and is focused on his academic achievements while enrolled
at Chinook High School. Taking courses in English, Social Studies, Special
Projects, and Work Experience, Boyko is balancing his responsibilities in the
classroom and with his teammates on the ice.
“From his first days as a rookie, Noah has worked very hard under minimal
supervision to maintain a top honors average,” said Hurricanes Academic Advisor
Jim Stewart. “Not only has he achieved top grades, but he has modelled
excellent academic and personal conduct in the school and with his teammates.”
Boyko has already established career-high totals in all three major offensive
categories this season, posting 25 points (10G-15A) in 42 games. He has also
earned recognition by NHL Central Scouting on their midterm rankings for the
2020 NHL Draft, where he was ranked 180th among North American
skaters.
Dru Krebs, Medicine
Hat Tigers: Rookie defenceman Dru Krebs, a product of Okotoks,
Alta., is enrolled at Medicine Hat High School to continue his pursuit of his
educational goals. Taking courses in Math and Chemistry, Krebs is setting a
strong example in the classroom for his teammates.
“For Dru his schooling is very important to him and it shows in the dedication
he puts into it,” said Tigers Academic Advisor Gary McDougall. “With our weekly
study hall sessions he is very focused on the task at hand, and uses these
sessions from start to finish achieving his academic goals.”
The youngest of the three Krebs brothers currently playing in the WHL, Dru has
recorded 11 points (3G-8A) in 37 games this season.
Dallon Melin, Red Deer
Rebels: Forward Dallon Melin is a product of Czar, Alta. and
has taken on a larger role with the team’s on-ice performance while also
keeping up with his academic responsibilities. Enrolled in online courses
through St. Gabriel Online School, the 17-year-old Melin recently completed his
first semester of Grade 12, earning top marks in Biology and English.
“With his positive, pleasant, and hard-working attitude, he is a great
example of a dedicated hockey player both on the ice and in school,” said
Rebels Academic Advisor Teresa Jaeger. “He is a conscientious student who,
along with managing a hectic game and training schedule, maintains a focus and
commitment to academic excellence.”
On a young Rebels team, Melin is contributing more in his second season. The
forward has posted 11 points (5G-6A), including a game-winning goal, in 41
games this season.
Hendrik De Klerk,
Swift Current Broncos: A 17-year-old product of Swift Current,
Sask., defenceman Hendrik De Klerk is enrolled at Swift Current Comprehensive
High School. The defenceman is enrolled in Pre-Calculus, Chemistry, and English
Language Arts, furthering his academic pursuits.
“Hendrik is a mature and dedicated student with a strong work ethic, which is
helping him balance the expectations of completing a heavy course load and
playing hockey at this level,” said Broncos Academic Advisor Tracey Martin.
Acquired by his hometown Broncos in August 2019, De Klerk has played a key role
on the team’s blue line this season. In 38 games, he has tallied 12 points
(2G-10A), including one game-winning goal.
WHL Academic
Achievers – December
Club | Nominee | School / Institution |
Brandon | Jake Chiasson | Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School |
Everett | Braden Holt | Everett High School |
Kamloops | Matthew Seminoff | Valleyview Secondary School |
Kelowna | Elias Carmichael | Kelowna Secondary School |
Moose Jaw | Braden Miller | Vanier Collegiate Institute |
Portland | Seth Jarvis | Sunset High School |
Prince Albert | Jakob Brook | Carlton Comprehensive High School |
Prince George | Nikita Krivokrasov | Prince George Secondary School |
Regina | Makai Mitchell | Michael A. Riffel Catholic High School |
Saskatoon | Charlie Wright | City Park Collegiate |
Seattle | Mekai Sanders | Kentwood High School |
Spokane | Bear Hughes | Immaculate Conception Academy |
Tri-City | Tom Cadieux | Kamiakin High School |
Vancouver | Cole Shepard | South Delta Secondary School |
Victoria | Riley Gannon | Victoria High School |
Winnipeg | Connor McClennon | Shaftesbury High School |
Fully funded by WHL member Clubs, all current WHL players are encouraged to
enroll in post-secondary courses. This season, over 160 current players are
taking post-secondary courses while playing in the WHL. The financial
assistance received for post-secondary studies while playing does not impact on
the WHL Scholarship benefits a WHL player is entitled to upon graduating from
the League.
Every player who plays in the WHL is eligible to receive the WHL Scholarship.
For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a guaranteed,
full-year WHL Scholarship, including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees to
a post-secondary institution of their choice. The WHL Scholarship is a fully-guaranteed
academic scholarship with no requirement to play university hockey to qualify.
About the Western
Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players,
the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The
WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in
the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has
been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50
years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over
350 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary
education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of
Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.