The NHL Hockey Is For Everyone scholarship was announced Friday as the legacy project to commemorate the game between the Calgary Flames and the Winnipeg Jets at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN1, CITY, TVAS2, NHL.TV).
The scholarships, funded by a $300,000 investment made jointly by the NHL, the Flames, and the Jets, are available to undergraduate students who play hockey at the University of Regina or University of Saskatchewan.
RELATED: [NHL Heritage Classic coverage]
"We like to leave something behind, and we felt something that focuses on our diversity and inclusiveness and creates an opportunity for some others who might not be able to afford to go school and be part of the game," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "It all fits together."
Four students a year will be awarded the scholarship; one female and one male hockey player at each school. The recipients will be chosen based on the core values of the NHL's Hockey Is For Everyone, campaign, focusing on those who strive to provide a positive an inclusive environment, while also showing leadership and good sportsmanship on and off the ice.
"The Calgary Flames and Calgary Flames Foundation are pleased to partner in the scholarships that will support access to premier education while playing hockey at two renowned Canadian post-secondary institutions," Flames president John Bean said. "We are proud to work with the Jets and the NHL to leave a legacy in Saskatchewan that will remain for years following the Tim Hortons Heritage Classic."
"We're extremely proud to support the development of hockey in this community, on and off the ice with this scholarship," Jets executive chairman Mark Chipman. "By providing this opportunity, it removes some of the financial pressure associated with playing hockey at the competitive university level, while supporting student players who pursue their undergraduate endeavors."
Each scholarship recipient will receive a one-year grant to aid in covering post-secondary costs.
"We are extremely grateful to the National Hockey League and the Tim Horton's Heritage Classic for this legacy donation to the Cougar hockey programs at the University of Regina," said Dr. Vianne Timmons, president and vice-chancellor at the University of Regina. "Their generosity will allow young athletes the opportunity to not only pursue their athletic dreams, but their academic ones as well."
The details of the scholarship were announced during the 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic Legacy Luncheon co-hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL), a not-for-profit corporation that operates the 100-acre Evraz Place property which includes Mosaic Stadium.
The NHL has developed legacy projects for its tent-pole events for more than 15 years to keep the spirit of the games alive in the host communities.
Since 2003, the League, its teams and partners have donated more than $3.5 million to communities across North America in this ongoing philanthropic endeavor. Legacy projects have aided thousands of hospital patients in recovery; helped at-risk youth and families gain better access to educational and vocational training; and provided greater access to people of all ages to learn and play hockey.
"I look forward to reading the stories of the young men and women who will receive these scholarships," Commissioner Bettman said.
