Macmillan honoured by CJHL
Bearcats forward named national academic player of the year
TRURO, N.S. – Truro Bearcats forward Luke Macmillan has joined select company in the Maritime Junior Hockey League.
Macmillan is the recipient of the Canadian Junior Hockey League $5,000 scholarship as academic player of the year for 2018-19, becoming just the fifth Maritime league player to win the award. Other MHL players to win it before him were Samuel Maccormick, Bridgewater Lumberjacks (2010), Donald Johnstone, Truro Bearcats (2003) and Jeff Ellis, Charlottetown Abbies (2002). “It’s pretty special,” said Macmillan, a 20-year-old from Shortts Lake. “Not very many people have received it (from the Maritime league); definitely a prestigious award and it will go a long way to help me with my school.”
Macmillan and Bearcats teammate Ryan Porter flew out west to Brooks, Alta., last weekend to attend the national junior A hockey championship. Macmillan was presented with his award prior to the semifinal game between Oakville, Ont., and Prince George, B.C.
Each of the 10 leagues in the CJHL nominated one player for the national award.
Macmillan played three seasons with the Bearcats, and praised the organization for its efforts in allowing players to succeed both on the ice and in the classroom.
“I think our organization does a really good job supporting all of its players with their education and it’s definitely been a big help and support throughout my time there.”
Macmillan was named the MHL Scholastic Player of the Year following the 2018-19 season and won the Bob Boucher Hockey Assistance Fund for 2017-18. He has a lengthy list of academic honours and volunteerism to local programs in the community.
“Luke follows in the footsteps of Donald Johnstone as another Bearcat to win the national junior A scholarship,” says Bearcats coach Shawn Evans. “Like Donald, he’s a highcharacter young man and low-maintenance person to have on your team. He represents our organization with class and makes us all very proud.”
Macmillan was an honours student at South Colchester Academy before entering the engineering program at the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus in Bible Hill. His strong academic record continued through his second year in the program in 2018-19. Macmillan plans to continue his degree at the Dalhousie Sexton Campus in Halifax with an eye on becoming a civil engineer.
“We are proud to see Luke Macmillan recognized nationally for his outstanding efforts in the classroom, on the ice, and in the community,” says Dave Ritcey, MHL interim president. “The MHL places importance on education first for all of our players. Macmillan’s leadership and recognition are well earned and show the quality of student-athletes across all of our teams.”