Follow us on

The APHA Ranger Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications for the “Shanley Parkinson Award of Excellence”, which is awarded to eligible U18 AA graduating players for post-secondary education. Applications are due July 15.

For all info on the scholarship, including requirements and application form, please visit: https://www.aphahockey.ca/scholarship. We look forward to your application!

ASSINIBOINE PARK HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

AA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Assiniboine Park Hockey Association, as a legacy of the “AA” Rangers program, provides scholarships to assist eligible graduating AA players in furthering their education. The Scholarship Committee reviews applications received each year and chooses the scholarship recipients. However, the Committee is under no obligation to grant any awards in the event of an absence of suitable candidates. Notwithstanding that more than one candidate may be selected in a particular year, the total will be determined annually based on the available income from the invested scholarship funds, which are held at the Winnipeg Foundation.  

Application:

Any individual classified as U18 (as defined by the Hockey Winnipeg by-laws), and who is in their final year of eligibility playing in the Assiniboine Park Hockey Association at the AA level, may submit an application to the Scholarship Committee for consideration. Applications will be available, on the APHA website or directly from the Scholarship Committee. Receipt of applications by the Scholarship Committee is normally due before July 15th of the graduating player’s final year of play with the APHA AA hockey program.

In the event there is no U18 AA program run by Hockey Winnipeg, the next highest level of play in the APHA at U18 will be eligible to apply for the available scholarship funding. If there is no U18 play at the APHA, then U18 players at High School, living in the APHA catchment area, will be considered eligible to apply.

Definition of Post High School Education:

The scholarships will assist an individual pursuing education past the high school level. This will include a Community College or University education.

Notice:

By August/September successful scholarship recipients will be notified in writing at the address included on their scholarship application, once the applications have been reviewed and the scholarship recipients have been selected by the Scholarship Committee. Upon receipt of notification, it will be the responsibility of the student to formally accept the scholarship awarded, and confirm the educational institution being attended.  

Payment of Scholarships:

Scholarships from the Assiniboine Park Rangers legacy funds held at the Winnipeg Foundation will normally be paid to the educational institution, and not to the award recipient, once confirmation of enrollment is made from the University or College. If fees have already been paid for the year in full, then the student can submit proof of registration, and the payment may be made payable directly to the student, as determined by the Winnipeg Foundation.  

 Individuals have a period of two years from the time of granting of the award to enroll in college or university. In the event the recipient fails to do so, the scholarship will be forfeited. The Committee may at their discretion consider extraneous circumstances in extending this time period.



Scholarship Committee:

The Scholarship Committee will be comprised of no less than three and no more than four knowledgeable individuals from the hockey community.  If any Committee member is related to an applicant, that Committee member will be ineligible to serve and vote on the Committee, unless the applicant withdraws application. It is desirable that no individual accept appointment to the Committee if that appointee has a relative eligible to apply for scholarship funding. The VP AAA/AA hockey for the APHA (or a comparable position) will always be a member of the committee.

Criteria:

  • AA U18 hockey player from the APHA catchment area in his/her final year of eligibility (i.e. 17-18 years of age).
  • Intent to attend a post high-school institution of learning, whether Community College or University, followed by ultimate acceptance and attendance of classes.
  • The applicant should have been a player exhibiting sound hockey skills, team play, leadership, and good conduct while associated with the AA hockey program, both on and off the ice.
  • In so far as determinable, the applicant should be of good character, and in that respect would be wise to submit references e.g.  from their community, school, church etc.
  • The applicant should have maintained acceptable passing grades at a level commensurate with their ability, and scholastic achievement at high school sufficient to gain admission to University or Community College.
  • The applicant’s community involvement will also be considered e.g. coaching of younger players, employment, demonstration of leadership in volunteering in the community, etc.
  • The applicant’s number of years playing for the APHA program may be taken into consideration i.e. more years at APHA hockey may be considered more favourably.
  • The applicant’s financial hardship may be considered by the Scholarship Committee.  For example, if two applicants were very close in all respects, and one would have greater difficulty in furthering his/her education without assistance, the Committee may in its wisdom take that financial hardship into consideration. 

Approval:

All scholarship applications will be reviewed, voted on, and subsequent recipients approved by the Scholarship Committee.

  • Assiniboine Park Rangers “Shanley Parkinson Award of Excellence” and Scholarship Fund:

In 2004 a Ranger scholarship opportunity was instituted and made possible by a generous donation from Shanley and Dale Parkinson, held in trust by the Winnipeg Foundation, in the Shanley Parkinson Scholarship Fund. The purpose of this endowed fund is to provide scholarships to eligible players of the Assiniboine Park “AA” Hockey program who will be pursuing post-secondary education.   Shanley and Dale Parkinson, both past volunteer Chairs of the Board of the Assiniboine Park Rangers “AA” Hockey Association, served with distinction and established The Shanley Parkinson Award of Excellence” to honour Shanley’s long service and dedicated commitment to the Ranger hockey program. Shanley augmented this scholarship fund with a second donation in 2018. This generous support provides scholarships, as per the Winnipeg Foundation spending policy. The successful recipient will receive their monetary award from the Winnipeg Foundation where the funds are held in trust, and their name will be added to the Shanley Parkinson Award trophy on display at Eric Coy Arena.

  • Rudy Beyer APHA Rangers AA Hockey Scholarship Fund    

In 2025, a second scholarship fund was established at the Winnipeg Foundation from Rangers’ fundraising proceeds that were saved and stewarded over the years. This scholarship fund honours Rudy Beyer, the most recent and longest serving volunteer Past President of the APHA Rangers AA Hockey program. This gift represents the legacy of the APHA Rangers AA Hockey Association, which was a standing committee of the APHA.  All recipients of this scholarship will have their name added to the plaque in honour of the Rudy Beyer APHA Rangers AA Hockey Scholarship. This plaque will be displayed in the APHA AA Ranger trophy case at Eric Coy Arena.


Funding:

Funding of AA scholarships is made possible from the success of fundraising ventures supported by the Ranger hockey program and by donations held in trust at the Winnipeg Foundation.  Individuals wishing to contribute to the endowed scholarship funds held at the Winnipeg Foundation may do so and receive a tax receipt from the Foundation. Additional information about this process is available from either the Winnipeg Foundation or the AA Scholarship Committee.  

Revised: September 2025