When the Red Deer Rebels weren’t on the ice honing on their craft they were working in the classroom.
Their hard work paid off on Tuesday when they were named the Jim Donlevy Memorial Trophy winners as the WHL Scholastic Team of the Year.
This is the first time Red Deer has won the award and is the first Alberta-based franchise to win since the Calgary Hitmen in the 2013-14 season.
The award is presented annually to the WHL franchise that posts the highest overall academic performance during the regular season.
“On behalf of the Red Deer Rebels, I’d like to thank the league in being selected for the Jim Donlevy Scholastic Team,” said Teresa Jaeger, Education Advisor for the Red Deer Rebels.
“We take great pride in education here and working with our players to be the best that they can be.
“I’d like to thank the players for their hard work and all their commitment they put into getting the best grades and getting their assignments done. I’d also like to thank the teachers at Notre Dame and Athabasca University for helping the team.”
The Rebels had nine players attending high school this season with a combined average of 88 per cent.
The organization’s approach has been both hands-on and collaborative in helping the players see success in the classroom.
Jaegar worked with the hockey operations staff as well as with staff at Notre Dame High School to monitor how the players were performing academically.
Through daily sessions, the students were able to get the most out of the learning time available to them.
Even when on road trips, the hockey operations staff worked to keep the players on track. There were times designated for players to work on their education on the road and they had the opportunity to connect with teachers through Zoom, email, or Google Meets.
“It is fantastic to see our players get rewarded for the effort they put into their schoolwork. The dedication they showed to balance on-ice performance and off-ice performance in the classroom is very rewarding to see,” said Rebels hockey operations manager Arie Postmus.
“I am very happy for them all. Teresa also deserves a ton of credit for the countless hours she gives to steer head our education program and support these players to ensure they graduate with stellar marks.”
The WHL Scholastic Team Award was renamed to honour longtime WHL director of education services, Jim Donlevy.
He passed away in 2019 after a long battle with cancer and this year marked the fourth time the award has been presented since its official name change.
“On behalf of my family, I am honoured to present the winner of the Jim Donlevy Memorial Trophy, presented to the WHL Scholastic Team of the Year,” said Lisa Stollery, daughter of Jim Donlevy.
“A huge congratulations to the Red Deer Rebels – their extremely hardworking student-athletes, their teachers who help these young men to excel in their academics, their Education Advisor Teresa Jaeger, the Rebels coaches and management team, and the families that support and love them. They are extremely hardworking students.”