The WHL and Education

The WHL is committed to providing an environment for players to excel both in academics and in hockey. While a player’s goal is to win a WHL Championship and compete for the MasterCard Memorial Cup, it is equally important each player sets his sight on academic success. WHL Clubs are governed by league-wide Education Standards and policies to ensure all players graduate from high school in a timely fashion and achieve the highest level of academic success possible.

The WHL and High School Education

A fundamental WHL principle is that all WHL players, during their time in the League, will graduate from high school in a timely fashion.  Every opportunity will be provided for all players to complete “on time” high school graduation requirements as specified by his home province or state.

To emphasize this position, WHL Clubs take disciplinary action in order to ensure players are committed to achieving to the highest level of their academic capabilities.  Such discipline may result in a player not dressing for a regular season game, not travelling on a road trip, or being suspended for a period.  Players are expected to perform at an academic level equal to or higher than grades achieved at his home school.

Every WHL Club has an “Academic Team” in place to serve the scholastic needs of each player, along with his family.  This Team includes the Club’s General Manager, Coaches, and Education Advisor, Counselors and Teachers in the franchise city high school, a key Counselor at the player’s home school, and the WHL Director of Education Services.

The Role of the Education Advisor

An Education Advisor is on the staff of every WHL Club. These professionals act as a liaison with the franchise school and the player’s home school. The Education Advisors are responsible to monitor the progress of each player academically and provide additional assistance to ensure the player achieves his academic goals.

Throughout the season, Education Advisors communicate regularly with each other and the WHL Director of Education Services, sharing initiatives, academic information, and ideas.

All Education Advisors have an extensive education background and experience in the school system of the franchise city. Typically, retired school administrators, teachers, or counselors fill these positions.

WHL Franchise Schools

The following is a list of high schools attended by players in each WHL market:

B.C. Division
Kamloops Blazers – Valleyview Secondary
Kelowna Rockets – Kelowna Secondary
Prince George Cougars – College Heights Secondary
Vancouver Giants – South Delta Secondary
Victoria Royals – Victoria High School

U. S. Division:
Everett Silvertips – Everett High School
Portland Winterhawks – Milwaukie High School and Sunset High School
Seattle Thunderbirds – Kent-Meridian High School
Spokane Chiefs – Ferris High School
Tri-City Americans – Kamiakin High School

East Division:
Brandon Wheat Kings – Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School
Moose Jaw Warriors – Vanier Collegiate
Prince Albert Raiders – Carlton Comprehensive High School
Regina Pats – Michael A. Riffel High School
Saskatoon Blades – Marion Graham Collegiate
Swift Current Broncos – Swift Current Comprehensive High School 

Central Division:
Calgary Hitmen – St. Anne Academic Centre
Edmonton Oil Kings – Salisbury Composite High School
Kootenay Ice – Mt. Baker Secondary    
Lethbridge Hurricanes – Winston Churchill High School
Medicine Hat Tigers – Medicine Hat High School
Red Deer Rebels – Hunting Hills High School

Current WHL Players and Post-Secondary Education

While playing in the WHL, all players have access to post secondary courses through various universities, colleges, and virtual schools.  As part of the comprehensive WHL Education and Scholarship program offered to all players, tuition and textbook costs for these courses are covered by WHL Clubs.  These costs, however, do not impact WHL Scholarship benefits available to the player upon graduation from the League.  In 2010-11, 110 current WHL players were enrolled in post-secondary courses while playing in the WHL.

The WHL and Athabasca University, in 2009, entered into a partnership that improves access to post-secondary university level courses for current players. Under this unique arrangement, Athabasca University offers fully accredited courses online to all WHL players interested in pursuing post-secondary studies.  Given the flexibility Athabasca University courses provide, players are able to combine their university studies with a demanding hockey schedule.

For close to 40 years, Athabasca University has been Canada’s leading provider of online and distance university education.  Athabasca University, which currently serves over 38,000 students worldwide, is committed to the removal of barriers for students interested in attaining a University education.  With more than 700 courses in over 90 undergraduate or graduate degree, diploma, and certificate programs available through Athabasca University, plus over 350 articulation agreements with other post-secondary institutions.  This partnership gives every current WHL player extensive access to career enhancing studies, giving them a head start to full time studies upon graduation from the WHL.