The Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) is excited to announce the four winners of the Student-Athlete of the Month Award for February: Liam Befus, Saysha Brace, Olan Ward, & Linden Andersen.
During the 2024/25 season the CSSHL introduced the Student-Athlete of the Month Award for the four different CSSHL divisions/age brackets: Eastern, West Female, West U18 Male (U18 Prep, U17 Prep, U17) and West U15 Male (U15 Prep and U15) .
This award is aimed at recognizing the student-athletes within the CSSHL and acknowledges their hard work, dedication, commitment, leadership, academics and community impact.
We would like to congratulate these four student-athletes, who were all nominated by their programs, for their hard work in the month of February.
East Division – Liam Befus, King’s-Edgehill School
“Liam is a Grade 12 student who exemplifies excellence both in the classroom and in athletics. He recently earned an outstanding 97.2% average on his most recent report card, demonstrating his strong commitment to academic achievement.
Beyond his academic success, Liam serves as the captain of our team, where he provides exceptional leadership, accountability, and consistency throughout the year. He leads by example every day and has played a significant role in fostering a positive and competitive team culture.
Liam’s leadership extends beyond the rink. He is a respected leader within our school community, serving as a prefect and as Captain of Osprey House. His ability to balance high-level academics, athletics, and meaningful school involvement makes him a truly deserving candidate for Student-Athlete of the Month.”
West Female Division – Saysha Brace, Delta Hockey Academy
“Saysha has been the definition of commitment to her game and her academics. She is the type of athlete who, no matter what obstacles are in front of her, continues to work relentlessly to create opportunities for herself. Her mindset has led to her earning a college scholarship to play at SAIT in Calgary next year.
Saysha commutes over an hour each way to be part of our program, works multiple jobs, and still balances her academic responsibilities at a high level. Despite the demands on her time, she shows up prepared, focused, and ready to contribute to her team and schooling every single day.
Her work ethic and ability to persevere are well beyond her years. Saysha is a role model within our academy, demonstrating what it truly means to be a Student Athlete, be accountable to your teammates, and represent your program with pride. She is extremely deserving of this recognition.”
West Male U15 Division – Olan Ward, STAR Hockey Academy
“Olan exemplifies what it means to be a true student-athlete, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA through the first semester. He is a leader within our program academically, consistently setting the standard for preparation, accountability, and work ethic in the classroom.”
West Male U18 Division – Linden Andersen, South Alberta Hockey Academy
“Linden exemplifies what it means to be a true student-athlete through his consistent dedication to excellence both in the classroom and within his team environment. He approaches his academic work with focus and pride, demonstrating strong organization, a positive attitude, and a willingness to challenge himself on projects and daily assignments. Linden is a natural leader in the dressing room, setting a standard for work ethic, respect, and accountability that his teammates follow. He consistently supports others, offering encouragement and helping create a culture of unity and brotherhood.
Beyond the classroom and rink, Linden represents his program with integrity through his involvement in school and community activities, showing maturity well beyond his years. His commitment to personal growth, teamwork, and responsibility makes him a role model among his peers. Linden’s character, leadership, and dedication make him highly deserving of recognition as an outstanding student-athlete.”
