SYDNEY, N.S. — An off-ice member of the Cape Breton Eagles is up for a top Quebec Major Junior Hockey League award.
Ryan MacPherson, the team’s education co-ordinator and a teacher at Sydney Academy high school, is one of three finalists for the Denis Arsenault Award that is handed out annually to the QMJHL’s academic adviser of the year.
The two other nominates are Allie MacDonald of the Halifax Mooseheads and Josée Frenette of the Val-d’Or Foreurs.
The award is traditionally presented at the commissioner’s cocktail event that is held the day before the league’s entry draft. As the draft is now scheduled to be held online, and with COVID-19 social distancing measures still in effect, the winner will be announced this week.
Over the years, the continuing education of players, many who come from different provinces and countries, has become a top priority of the QMJHL.
Players with the Eagles attend local high schools, Cape Breton University or study via a distance program.