The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and the MindRight for Athletes Society are pleased to announce that Castlegar Rebels goalie Ethan Lawczynski has been named the recipient of the Remembering Grant Sheridan Scholarship.
Each year, the MindRight for Athletes Society awards the $1,500 scholarship, named in memory of the longtime Kelowna Chiefs owner and general manager, to one exceptional KIJHL student-athlete.
“Ethan is an exceptionally deserving recipient of the Grant Sheridan Scholarship. His dedication to academic excellence, paired with his extensive engagement in community service, enhances the scholarship’s legacy,” says Myles Mattila, founder of the MindRight for Athletes Society. “Ethan demonstrates similar characteristics to past recipients, showcasing strong leadership qualities that resonate perfectly with the scholarship’s values.”
The scholarship will assist Lawczynski, who joined the Rebels from the Castlegar Minor Hockey program, with his tuition costs while he studies engineering to become either an aeronautical or mechanical engineer as he aspires to work in the aviation industry. Lawczynski also plans to try out for the Golden Bears men’s hockey team and intends to continue his passion for the goalie position as a coach.
“I was pretty thrilled and I’m sure there are a lot of people that applied for the scholarships,” says Lawczynski, who graduated from Stanley Humphries Secondary School in 2021 with straight As. “To be picked for one of them is pretty big. It’s pretty exciting knowing that the things I’ve done in the KIJHL have translated into something that I can use going into the future and to my education.”
Lawczynski is a two-time recipient of the Rebels’ Gerry Lacasse Memorial Award presented each season to a Rebels player that best exemplifies leadership, work ethic, follow-through, fortitude and heart. He co-won the award this year and first won it in 2022. He was named the Rebels Most Improved Player in 2022, and received the Rebels’ Sport and Education award in 2020.
Lawczynski’s contribution to the community as a volunteer is impressive. With the Rebels, the 20-year-old coached minor hockey goalies, including the U11 A team, and worked with goalies alongside netminding partner Matteo Hueston. He volunteered with the Terry Fox Run and one of his favourites, emceeing the Breakfast with Santa at the Castlegar & District Community Complex. Families attended the event to have breakfast with Santa and have photos taken with him.
Outside of hockey, Lawczynski has helped people move furniture, got involved with Food Bank Fundraisers, volunteered as a basketball and swim coach and more.
“Being involved in the community is really important and having an engaged fan base helps a lot,” he says. “Having kids recognize you is always something that makes me pretty happy. I’m proud to play for my hometown team and I think serving the community is part of that pride. Hopefully I can inspire those kids like I was once inspired by watching the Rebels play.”
He is the fifth recipient of the Remembering Grant Sheridan Scholarship, joining Ethan Sanders (100 Mile House Wranglers) in 2023, Nathan Hannon (Osoyoos Coyotes) in 2022, Josh Wiens (Castlegar Rebels) in 2021 and Angus Amadio (Beaver Valley Nitehawks) in 2020.
