Mark Nolan Memorial Scholarship

Mark Nolan Scholarship - Provided by Marks parents

Mark pictured with his team mate showing of the universal "we are number one" symbol, after winning the peewee international tournament.

Gavin Barr Adam Polem Taylor Breen

Gavin Barr

2020-21

Gavin Started his Minor Hockey Career in Initiation with FMMHA and finished as a Goalie for the U18AA Jr. Oil Barons Program. Gavin chose to stay in Fort McMurray and play AA because of his love of all sports such as volleyball, golf, basketball, badminton, soccer, and track and field. Gavin says “I loved to compete, sometimes against my hockey teammates, in a different environment. Many of these critical city championship moments helped me grow and learn how to deal with competition. I think Mark's love for multiple sports showed how he knew, like Hockey Canada, that the best long term hockey players have a basis in many different sports.”

Gavin took his role as a Jr. Oil Baron seriously. He gave back to our organization by participating in all team community events such as food bank drives and by spending many hours volunteering with our younger goalies in the WBHL programs and within the Peak program of his school.

Other Volunteer credits on Gavin's Resume include: Scorekeeping and referring for school sports, Community clean ups, and putting together the desks and furniture to open the new high school wing in Ecole McTavish.

“I have seen him recover from our catastrophic city fire of 2016, three city flooding’s, and now navigate through the COVID pandemic. He has demonstrated the necessary positive coping strategies required during and after high-stress situations. He is truly a well-rounded student who is respectful of diversity and is able to adapt to stressful situations.” ~ teacher Janice Doucette, MEd, MPEd

Gavin plans to study his BA – Graphic Design at the University Of Alberta next year.

Adam Polem

2020-21

Adam was born and raised in Fort McMurray, with love for the game of hockey, golf, tennis, and dirt biking. Like Mark Nolan, he celebrated a very proud moment with his U15AA team when the team made it to Provincials and finished with bronze. “Family, friends and my teammates are also an important part of my life especially during this last year dealing with covid I have learned to live life to the fullest with a lot of restrictions. I also like spending time with our family pets which includes 2 dogs, our barn cat (who really doesn’t like anyone) and 3 horses”

Adam has been very active in our community, starting with being a dedicated stick boy for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons for three seasons. He has also supported Fort McMurray Minor Hockey development partners for our WBHL players by participating as a shooter in Mike Brodeur Goalie camps. His volunteerism took him out of the rink and into the community. Adam participated in donation drives for the center of Hope, volunteering at the Clearwater Horse club, and just, in general, a good citizen by helping his neighbors out when he can, such as mowing the lawn when he knows they have worked long hours.

“I think Adam is perfect for this scholarship because he displays a lot of great qualities such as being a utility piece on the team. I got to watch Adam play in his final season from the bench as I was the Trainer for the Junior Oil Barons U18 team, and no matter what position or shift he was put on, he would go perform with no questions asked.” – Austin Cruz, PCP Firefighter / Trainer

Adam is planning to train as a firefighter and is seriously leaning towards TEEX Fire In Bryant, Texas. We can expect to see him playing hockey for many years to come in the firefighters league.

Taylor Breen

2022-2023 Recipient

Taylor Breen has been apart of the FMMHA family for over 10 years. Within this time, Taylor has shown herself to be an outstanding individual both on and off ice. Within the first year at the U15 level Taylor won the Coach’s award – an award which recognizes a player who represents integrity, respect, and work ethic, attitude, and leadership. This same year Taylor also received an academic award for maintaining the highest grades on the team.

In the 2021/2022 Taylor made the move to St. Albert where she able to play with the U18AAA Female Slash team, followed by being selected to attend the U18 Female Elite Hockey Alberta Summer Development session – which are outstanding accomplishments of a first-year female elite player.

Outside of Taylor’s hockey life, she has spent much of her time volunteering with various groups such as Snow Angel’s which include clearing off senior’s driveways and Wood Buffalo Royals, a program that promotes hockey as a means of providing an enjoyable and rewarding learning experience for all players regardless of their abilities.

“Some of the things Taylor brings to her team are a positive attitude – always smiling, even when the pressure is on her. She leads by example. No-one can outwork her. She has excellent grades and understands how to balance her multi-sport lifestyle and her schooling to be successful in all aspects of her life. She is a respectful young woman who sets an excellent example for the younger girls in our organization.” – Coach Dan Hodgson

Taylor will be attending MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta while earning a degree in Bachelor of Science with hopes of becoming a pharmacist in the future.