$30,000 Awarded to Young Hockey Athletes: Breaking Barriers for the Future
Maria Diamantis
LJI journalist
Montreal, September 18, 2024 – Thirteen talented young hockey players, including several from Saint-Eustache, Sainte-Thérèse, Lachute, and Boisbriand, received a transformative opportunity at the Sports Rousseau store in Laval. These student-athletes were awarded scholarships through the Le BUT Foundation, in collaboration with the Aleo Foundation. Standing in front of a wall of NHL jerseys, they were welcomed into the Aleo family by Pierre Gendron, the founder of Le BUT Foundation. Each athlete received a personalized jersey and a $1,500 scholarship, propelling them toward their athletic dreams while eliminating barriers that might otherwise stand in their way.
Elli Allard, a 16-year-old right winger from Saint-Eustache, is a standout recipient. Studying in the sport-study program at École secondaire Saint-Gabriel, Elli won gold at the 2022 Quebec Games with her hockey team. She dreams of working in sports psychology, combining her passion for the game with her desire to help other athletes succeed mentally and physically.
Noah Duverger, a 13-year-old defenseman from Sainte-Thérèse, is also making waves. A student in the sport-study program at École secondaire Saint-Gabriel, Noah was invited this past summer to the Hockey Etcetera mentorship camp, which gathers the top 13-year-old players in North America. In addition to excelling in hockey, Noah is an outstanding baseball player, having competed in the World Series in San Francisco. His dream is to become a hockey equipment design engineer.
Delphine Labonté, a 15-year-old forward from Lachute, stood out with her gold medal win at the Quebec Games. Currently studying at École secondaire régionale Laurentian, Delphine dreams of a career in sports. Her remarkable achievements continue to inspire her as she progresses through her hockey journey.
Amélia Lebrun, a 13-year-old goalie from Saint-Eustache, also received a $1,500 scholarship. A student at École secondaire des Patriotes, she was particularly inspired by her experience at the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. Amélia aspires to study architecture, another passion of hers.
Justin Plouffe-Côté, a 10-year-old defenseman from Boisbriand, studying at École Le Sentier, was selected for the M13 AAA team for the 2024-2025 season. His dedication to the sport has earned him recognition as one of the top young players in his category.
Catherine Proulx, a 19-year-old forward from Mirabel, received a $2,000 scholarship through the “Pay it Forward” program. A student in preschool and elementary education at the Université de Montréal, Catherine was named to the second All-Star team in her last two years of college hockey.
These scholarships are part of a broader initiative by the Le BUT Foundation and Aleo Foundation to remove barriers and provide young athletes with the support they need to succeed. This program is especially impactful for youths from regions like Saint-Eustache, Mirabel, and Sainte-Thérèse, where financial constraints can often impede the progress of talented players.
About the Foundations
The Le BUT Foundation, established in 2022, has distributed over 1,000 pairs of skates and provides essential hockey equipment to young players in need. Its mission is to make hockey accessible to all children, particularly those in communities like Boisbriand and Saint-Eustache, by removing financial obstacles and fostering an active lifestyle.
The Aleo Foundation, formerly known as the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence, has been supporting student-athletes since 1985, distributing over $25 million in scholarships. Its goal is to ensure that young athletes from areas like Lachute and Sainte-Thérèse can thrive both academically and athletically.
