CAMBRIDGE - Six outstanding Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) players have been selected to receive bursaries from Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) in the amount of $8,000 each, to further their post-secondary education.

The bursary program, funded directly by Ontario dairy producers, recognizes young athletes who show leadership in building strong and healthy communities, demonstrate high academic achievement, and get results on the ice with passion and love of the game.

DFO and OHA are proud to award the 2021-22 bursaries to:

Nathan Kellenberger (North York Rangers, OJHL)

Graham Dickerson (Wellington Dukes, OJHL)
Blain Bacik (Chatham Maroons, GOJHL)
Drew Booker (LaSalle Vipers, GOJHL))
Nolan Dawson (Picton Pirates, PJHL) a
Andrew Earley (Dresden Kings, PJHL).

Highlight videos of each recipient can be found here

“We are proud to support these bursary winners who have made an impact in their communities, and who understand hard work in the classroom and on the ice,” said Cheryl Smith, Chief Executive Officer of DFO. “MilkUP is DFO's youth lifestyle brand that was created with youth success in mind. Through this  bursary program we recognize outstanding Ontario youth athletes who demonstrate MilkUP's values: perseverance, originality, and heart.”

“We are very excited to partner with Dairy Farmers of Ontario on this exceptional bursary program for our OHA players,” said David Leger, Executive Director of the OHA. “We understand that while the players are participating in our programs that in many cases, they are also balancing the academic demands for their future. The bursary program aligns with the OHA purpose to grow individuals and communities through hockey and our players will benefit immensely from this bursary program and partnership”

About the Ontario Hockey Association

The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) was founded on November 27, 1890, and is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior hockey in the Province of Ontario.  The OHA is a Member Partner of the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) which is one of thirteen Provincial and Regional Branches of Hockey Canada. It is comprised of three Junior hockey leagues and one Senior hockey league: Junior A - Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL); Junior B - Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL); Junior C - Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL); and Sr. AAA - Allan Cup Hockey (ACH). In 2017-18, these four leagues encompassed 110 teams at the Junior and Senior levels. 

The objectives of the OHA are to foster and encourage the sport of amateur hockey, to conduct competition in the various categories established, to determine teams for entry into the inter-branch competitions that may be provided by Hockey Canada, and to provide for the affiliation of other hockey organizations.

The OHA provides administrative resources, coordinates programs, services and events for hockey participants and provides support to various Development Programs for coaches, officials, trainers and players, Safety and Risk Management Issues and offers resources for Harassment and Abuse education.

About Dairy Farmers of Ontario

Dairy Farmers of Ontario is the marketing and administrative board for the largest sector of Ontario agriculture. Ontario’s 3,400+ licensed dairy farmers, their families and employees are proud to produce high-quality milk for consumers through a safe and reliable system. For more information, visit www.milk.org.

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For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:

Chris McCleary                                                           Sharon Laidlaw

General Manager, Operations & Marketing                Corporate Communications Manager     

Ontario Hockey Association                                       Dairy Farmers of Ontario

cmccleary@ohahockey.ca                                          media@milk.org