June 26, 2024
Five players who competed in the 2023 Pat Quinn Classic hockey tournament have been recognized for their on-ice, academic and community involvement achievements by earning $1,000 scholarships from the Vancouver Canucks Alumni.
“This is what the Quinn family wanted,” explains Cliff Ronning, honourary chair of the Pat Quinn Classic. “The scholarships are not just about how great of an athlete you are. It’s also about giving back to the community you live in and having aspirations beyond hockey.”
The Vancouver Canucks Alumni Scholarships support Pat Quinn’s passion for creating leaders on and off the ice and his unwavering commitment to give back to the community.
The latest recipients come from Burnaby, Langley, Port Moody, Salmon Arm and Surrey. Each year, players who participate in the Pat Quinn Classic are eligible to apply for the scholarships.
The 2023 Pat Quinn Classic Vancouver Canucks Alumni Scholarships have been awarded to the following players:
Keira Pong (Burnaby) – Pat Quinn Award
Keira Pong is a standout athlete who plays goalie for the U15 A1 Burnaby Bulldogs and attends Burnaby North Secondary School. As the only female on her team, Keira’s passion for hockey has driven her to excel. Since starting hockey at age five, she has thrived under pressure and enjoys the camaraderie and challenges of playing on an integrated team. “I’m just so happy to receive this scholarship,” she says. “Hockey is my whole life. I’ve been playing since I was five. It has helped me in so many ways giving me expectations and things to look forward to. It has always helped me through hard times off the ice. Hockey really teaches you a lot and I hope to continue to play at a high level.” Keira maintains top marks across all of her subjects and volunteers at various events and school programs and enjoys mentoring younger goalies.
Michael Kuzik (Langley) – Harold Snepsts Award
A player for the Yale Hockey Academy, Michael Kuzik maintains a rigorous training schedule, works diligently on his academics and is deeply involved in his community. “I’m playing for my family, helping my teammates and trying to win every game I can,” he says. Off the ice, Michael volunteers at a Langley soup kitchen, serving dinners on Christmas Day to those in need alongside his family. He also participates in fundraisers to support the Children’s Hospital. And, he assists his family in caring for foster babies and providing them with much needed comfort and care. “I just try to use all my time to be as useful as I can be,” he says. Academically, Michael is inspired by his sister, who attends UBC. He is determined to follow in her footsteps, aiming to excel in his studies and attend UBC.
Emily McGinley (Port Moody) – Cliff Ronning Award
A member of the Tri-Cities Predators U15 A2 team, Emily McGinley attends Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School, where she balances her rigorous academic schedule with her passion for sports. “I’ve played hockey since I was seven years old and it’s been a huge part of my life,” she says. Emily’s love for hockey is matched by her enthusiasm for field lacrosse, basketball and box lacrosse, showcasing her versatility and commitment to athletics. Maintaining high marks in school and volunteering at local charity events, mentoring younger athletes, and assisting and visiting seniors in Port Moody makes for a busy schedule. “My parents help me out with my homework and getting me to my events,” she says.
Levi Hollatz (Salmon Arm) – Kirk McLean Award
A goalie for the U17 Prep Red Team at the RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna, Levi Hollatz is recognized for his leadership, work ethic and ability to motivate his teammates. “It’s very cool to achieve this award. I look forward to putting this towards my university,” he says. “Hockey is all of my life. It’s hockey every single day. It’s been a great journey so far.” Levi maintains high grades and receives positive feedback from his teachers. In the community, he volunteers at goalie camps and provides mentorship to younger athletes. He also spearheaded a local fundraiser encouraging local businesses to donate a dollar per save throughout the hockey season with proceeds going to the Salmon Arm Minor Hockey Association to help with equipment costs for the next generation of players.
Sage Henderson (Surrey) – Gino Odjick Award
Sage Henderson of the U15 Surrey Thunder A1 team showcases an impressive balance between his academic pursuits, athletic commitments and community involvement. “You have to take care of yourself first and then you can reach out to other people. I have great support,” he says. “I’ve always been connected to hockey. I grew up around it and I really enjoy being on the ice and going as fast as I can on skates.” With a later start to his school day on Tuesdays, he uses the time to volunteer at a local elementary school assisting with one-on-one math and reading tutoring and leading class activities. His goals include playing hockey at the university level and beyond and eventually pursuing a career as a teacher and a coach.
MEDIA CONTACT: info@patquinnclassic.com
GALLERY
About the Pat Quinn Classic and the Vancouver Canucks Alumni Scholarships
Held annually in Burnaby, the objective of the Pat Quinn Classic is to create a top international-calibre tournament in Western Canada to showcase local teams alongside some of the strongest programs in Canada, the U.S. and around the world. Organizers worked with the Quinn family to create a unique tournament that strikes the right balance between exciting hockey, skill and leadership development and community engagement. Quinn motivated players at all levels to work hard on the ice and live with passion and integrity off the ice. The vision of this tournament exemplifies his love of hockey and his unwavering commitment to give back to the community.
The Vancouver Canucks Alumni are a foundational partner in the Pat Quinn Classic. Both the tournament and the scholarships recognize Pat Quinn’s passion for creating leaders on and off the ice, and his unwavering commitment to give back to the community.
The scholarships selection committee, which includes a representative of the Quinn Family and Cliff Ronning, review the applications and select the recipients.