BONNYVILLE - There's more to hockey than just the sport, and Pontiac captain Joel Ray is living proof.
Out of the 15 applicants for this year's Inter Pipeline Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) Scholarship, Ray was selected as the 2020 recipient.
"Joel is a special human being. He puts more time into not only the community, but just being a servant citizen than most kids I have ever known,” detailed head coach Rick Swan. “As a policeman for 26 years, I dealt with a lot of great kids, but I also dealt with a lot of kids that maybe made some discretion. Joel is on a different level because he gets it."
On Saturday, the AJHL announced he would be receiving the $1,500 scholarship awarded to the graduating player deemed most deserving based on leadership, sportsmanship, dedication, and citizenship.
“His whole character is about making the right impression to everybody around him. He’s selfless, he wants to make things better for the people around him, he’s a terrific athlete, he plays the right way, and he works and gives everything that he has not only to our team.” Swan said.
The 20-year-old captain is wrapping up his AJHL career once the Pontaics are out of playoffs, and will be hanging up his Bonnyville jersey for good.
While hockey was always his first passion, Ray told the Nouvelle his parents instilled the belief that there's more to life than sports.
“When I was in school I worked really hard and I got the grades. My parents definitely preached that was a big thing that you needed, it wasn’t just hockey, you also needed good grades,” he detailed. “I made sure to work hard to get that, and being in the league for three years you build up the recognition you feel like you deserve."
He added, “I was just honoured to get it, because I am sure there were a lot of good candidates, but I’m happy to get that money, which will definitely help me out next year."
Although he hasn't set his sights on any particular school, Ray will be hitting the books for pre-pharmacy classes before heading to the University of Alberta to complete his doctor of pharmacy education.
After three years of playing as a Pontiac, Ray will miss the place he has learned to call home.
“The town itself, I came from a small town and this is definitely a hometown kind of feel for me. I’m going to miss coming to the rink and seeing the fans and the guys. There was a lot of great memories made in the three years I was here and I’m sad to see it go, but I’m definitely ready to move on with the next chapter of my life."
