When you’re good at something, people will come from far away lands to give you credit for it. Hockey is a popular sport in Canada, and with the right grades and test scores, you could become eligible for a wide array of university hockey scholarships right here in North America.
There are a number of ways you can get a hockey scholarship in Canada. You can start by playing for your high school or community team. If you’re having trouble finding a high school that offers a hockey team, check with the local university or college. They might have an unofficial team you could try out for.
Hockey is a popular sport in Canada. (Image: Getty Images Sport)
If you’re lucky enough to make it to the NHL, you could apply for a professional hockey scholarship.
Scholarships are given to play for Canada’s national teams and for the Junior and Amateur levels. You do not need to be a citizen to receive one, though you must be able to legally compete in order to receive the benefit of the award. This is why people in Canada have started to refer to the Canadian sport of hockey as “soccer” for the USA and “football” for the rest of the world.
If you’re looking for a place to play amateur hockey, you can start by checking out your own local youth hockey organizations. Many communities have started their own youth hockey organizations in recent years. If your community does not have a hockey team, look for an under-18 team to join.
In order to get a hockey scholarship in Canada, you must be able to prove to the administration of the school that you’re capable of playing at the university level. This means achieving a certain GPA, becoming a member of a particular sports fraternity or sorority, and taking the ACT (Canadian Academic Testing) or the OAT (Ontario Academic Testing) test. (For more information on the ACT/OAT test, click here).
Since most Canadian universities require you to have a post-secondary degree to be admitted, it is in your best interest to aim for university scholarships. These can be especially helpful if you plan to major in business or engineering. While many students opt for a more traditional path and complete a Bachelors degree in Computer Science or Information Systems, you can gain experience and learn a thing or two from a university’s business program. (For more information on choosing a major, click here).
Nowadays, many universities will hold auditions or castings for their award, so you must prepare for these and aim for the best outcome. Go above and beyond, and make sure you stand out from the rest of the applicants.
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Play For Your High School Or Community Team
Playing for your high school or community team is a great way to get experience and build up your resume. If you do well, you might even make it to the next level.
For those interested in pursuing a professional career in hockey, this is one of the best options available to them. The ability to play recreationally while going to school is something only a select few can claim. There are pros and cons to this route. On one hand, you will not have to deal with the hassle of finding a place to live whether you’re in school or not. That will also save you the stress of looking for a part-time job when you’re already taking care of your studies. (For more information on the pros and cons of playing for your high school or community team, click here).
On the other hand, you will not be able to pursue higher education at a prestigious university if you do not have the grades. The average GPA of those who have played for a high school team is usually around 3.0, while the average for those who have not is around 2.5. (For more information on the average GPAs of those who have played for high school team, click here).
This route is also open to those who have not played competitively before and are looking to get into the sport. If you are interested in pursuing a scholarship in hockey, this is one of the best opportunities you could have. Just make sure you are able to commit to an intense training schedule, which means either missing class or finding the time to get up early in the morning to work out.
Playing for a high school or community team is a great way to get experience and build up your resume. (Image: Getty Images Sport)
Join A Sports Fraternity Or Sorority
There are several Canadian sports fraternities and sororities that offer academic and athletic scholarships, naming competitions, recruitment events, and more. If you’re a fervent hockey fan, you could look into joining a fraternity or sorority that sponsors hockey players. In order to be eligible for a student grant, you must be a member of a recognized Canadian sports association. Some of the more prominent Canadian sports associations are the Ontario Hockey Association, the Quebec Hockey Federation, and the Western Hockey League. (For more information on the associations, click here).
Joining a sports fraternity or sorority could be a great way to start off your hockey scholarship in Canada. Many of the associations I’ve mentioned above hold annual tournaments or carnivals where you could showcase your talent and win some financial aid along the way. If you do well in these events, you could become eligible for bigger and better prizes in the future.
The great thing about these associations is you do not need to be a hockey fan to be able to join. If you’re looking for a way to get a hockey scholarship in Canada, but you’re not particularly passionate about the sport, you can still join a fraternity or sorority and apply for financial aid.
These organizations also provide you with a great way to network and make connections. The chance to play at the NHL level is something many dream about, but few ever get the chance to do. Being a member of a sports organization that gives out scholarships could open up the possibility for you to pursue your NHL dream. Just make sure you are able to meet the eligibility requirements for a hockey scholarship.
Play On An Unofficial Team
If you’re interested in pursuing a scholarship in hockey, but can’t commit to playing for a high school or community team, you have another option available to you. This is where many aspiring pros come from. You can start by signing up with a local junior or intermediate hockey team. These teams often do not have any sort of contracts with NHL or other professional sports teams, but they do offer you the chance to play at a high level while still being a student. (For more information on the local hockey scene in your area, click here).
The great thing about this option is you do not have to commit to playing hockey professionally. If you do well in school and can maintain a certain GPA, you could become eligible for a pro wrestler or an NHL rookie contract. These are some of the most career-launching contracts in the world, making this option a great way to launch your pro career. You also do not need to be a Canadian citizen in order to play on an unofficial team in Canada. (For more information on the eligibility requirements for a professional team, click here).
While many would consider this a cheap way to get a hockey scholarship, it’s actually one of the most rewarding and can be one of the most educational experiences of your entire life. Just make sure you are aware of the requirements and commit to doing well in school. The better you do, the more opportunities you will have in the future.
Play In An International Tournament
If you are fortunate enough to make the NHL or WHL, you will have the opportunity to play in international tournaments. Some of the best international tournaments in the world are the Hockey World Cup, the IIHF World Championship, and the Spengler Cup. Just make sure you are able to commit to travel requirements and play many games in a short amount of time. These tournaments offer you the chance to gain invaluable experience, which could help you when you’re playing professionally.
The great thing about these tournaments is you do not necessarily need to be a hockey fan to be able to participate. Many fans from other sports will be going for the Hockey World Cup in Barcelona this year, so you will have the opportunity to interact with and meet many hockey fans from around the world. (For more information on the IIHF World Championship and the Spengler Cup, click here).