The Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) has awarded two female and two male student-athlete’s educational scholarships that will go towards their post-secondary education.
Julia Bilous, Logan Joslin, Ryan Leeming, and Jaylyn Morris, are this year’s receipients of the CSSHL Scholarship.
The CSSHL would like to recognize student-athletes who develop their life skills while concentrating on their hockey development. The scholarships are open to all current and former male or female student athletes of the CSSHL that are currently in their graduating year of high school or up to 20 years old.
A selection committee from the CSSHL review’s all applications and selects recipients based on four categories: Education, Citizenship and Character, Hockey, and References.
Julia Bilous:
A defenseman from Winnipeg, MB, Bilous has spent the last three seasons in the CSSHL with the St. Mary’s Academy Female U18 Prep team. In 54 games she would tally 30 points, including a career best 20 in 30 games this season.
“It is truly an honour to be a recipient of the Canadian Sports School Hockey League scholarship. This scholarship will help me to continue my education as a university student and allow me to pursue further education in the Field of Medicine,” said Bilous. “Receiving this scholarship and the recognition that comes with it means a lot to me and feels like a reward for all the hard work and dedication that is required to be a successful student-athlete. I attribute my success to my ability to balance my life between academics, athletics, and volunteer work. Lastly, I’d like to thank my family, coaches, teachers, and St. Mary’s Academy for helping me to reach my greatest potential. Thank you to the CSSHL for this opportunity, I feel fortunate to be chosen for this scholarship”.
For her post-secondary education Bilous will be attending the University of Manitoba studying in the Field of Science with a plan to major in Genetics or Microbiology, and minor in Chemistry. After completing her time at the University of Manitoba with the Women’s Hockey Team, she will attend medical school or continue her studies for a graduate degree. Her two main career aspirations include becoming a radiologist or a microbiologist.
Bilous volunteers with the Special Olympics Organization, which initially started in order to complete volunteer hours for school. As time went on, she realized how important volunteering with Special Olympics had become to her and she now continues to volunteer because she has fallen in love with the
organization and the people within it.
Throughout her time at university she would love to become an assistant coach for a young female hockey team. This will allow her to become more involved in the hockey community. “I genuinely appreciated having a young female coach, which is why I want to help with coaching a young female hockey team in my community,” added Bilous. Additionally, she will continue her volunteering with the Special Olympics Track & Field team.
Logan Joslin:
A defenseman from South Surrey, BC, Joslin spent five seasons in the CSSHL with Delta Hockey Academy. Joining the program in 2017/18, Joslin played 133 regular season games with Delta, tallying 10 goals and 22 assists.
Joslin’s most considerable achievements were during his last year of high school where he was named captain of the U18 prep team at the Delta Hockey Academy for his leadership qualities while volunteering to coach young athletes. While displaying exemplary effort and maturity as a team captain, he managed to maintain a 98% grade point average and discover his academic interests. In recognition of his character growth and academic performance, the CSSHL awarded him with the Nick Crosby Top Scholastic Athlete Award in his grade 12 year. He was also named to the CSSHL All-Academic team for three years in a row.
This season Joslin started a tutoring business while playing full-time junior hockey with the Delta Ice Hawks. As a tutor, he is able to give back to his community while working to pay for university and pursue his ambitions. Jolsin regularly volunteers at the Cloverdale Community Kitchen, having banked over 100 volunteer hours. From unloading and sorting donations, to preparing groceries for those in need, he find’s many ways to assist with the logistical processes at the food bank.
“Getting financially prepared for university has been a real challenge. I’m honoured and immensely thankful to the CSSHL for recognizing my efforts and supporting me with this scholarship,” added Joslin.
Joslin has applied to University of British Columbia for a Bachelor of Applied Sciences with the goal of majoring in Computer Science or Engineering with a minor in Economics. He has been admitted into University of Alberta for a Bachelor of Sciences in Computing Science, but still has time to finalize his decision as he has decided to tutor at Delta for one more year. U of A also awarded Joslin with two entrance scholarships, totalling $6,000.
Ryan Leeming:
A forward from Brooklin, ON, Leeming spent the last two seasons in the CSSHL Eastern U18 Prep division with Okanagan Hockey Ontario. In 47 games he would tally 3 goals and 8 assists.
“This scholarship is not only an appreciated financial opportunity, but is more importantly a testament to my hard work and merit. It represents the recognition of my achievements and carries with it the responsibility to use this gift wisely and pay it forward by empowering others on their own educational journeys,” mentioned Leeming. ” I’ve loved my time in the CSSHL and would not have been able to succeed as I have without the Okanagan Hockey Ontario staff. Going to CSSHL has helped improve my self-esteem, confidence, and work ethic, setting me up to succeed in every aspect later in life.”
Leeming will be taking Biomedical, Biological & Life Sciences at McGill University starting in September. He would like to go into the medical field following this undergraduate degree.
In his free time, Leeming has volunteered with Okanagan Hockey Ontario, helping with summer camps, as well as the Clarington Mini Watts, helping to teach children how to skate and enjoy the game of hockey. Leeming was on the Honour Roll from graded 9-12 and was the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 Okanagan Hockey Ontario Academic Award winner. He was named to the CSSHL Eastern U18 Prep division All-Academic team for the 2021/2022 and 2022/23 season.
Leeming has aspirations on playing junior A in the CCHL and has officiated for the last four years in the OMHA, refereeing hundreds of games.
Jaylyn Morris:
A defenseman from Maple Ridge, BC, Morris has spent the last five seasons in the CSSHL Female U18 Prep division with Delta Hockey Academy. In 115 career regular season games split between the Delta Female U18 and U17 teams Morris recorded 20 goals and 37 assists.
Morris will be attending the University of British Columbia this coming September to continue her education and hockey career. She will be entering the Faculty of Science where she plans to specialize in biology. After obtaining her undergraduate degree she aspire’s to attend medical school to become a general practitioner.
“I am honoured to receive this scholarship from an organization that has helped shape the person I am today. I have been a student athlete of the CSSHL for the past five years and I hold great respect for the opportunities this league has given me. I am beyond grateful for this award as it recognizes my achievements as well as supports my financial needs during university,” said Morris.
Morris has volunteered as a coach for prospective student-athletes at the Delta tryouts. Sharing her passion for the program, as well as mentoring the next generation of student-athletes was rewarding. Morris has also collaborated with a small team of teachers and grade 12 classmates to create and
deliver mental health sessions to younger hockey players. Working to remove the stigma of mental health issues begins with education, coupled with open and honest discussions. Morris is a volunteer member of the Invasive Species Council of BC. She has participated in zoom calls, slideshows and nature walks to learn about the negative impact that invasive species have upon our local ecosystems.
This season Morris was a co-captain for the Delta Female U18 Prep team while being a CSSHL Female U18 Prep Top Defenseman Award nominee. Morris played for Team BC U18, winning the 2023 Canada Winter Games.