Jonathan Sharir-Smith has spent his entire eight-year GTHL career with the Toronto Young Nationals, competing for the team from minor atom through midget. Sharir-Smith, who at the time of application had been accepted to McGill, Queen’s and Western Universities, intends to study chemical engineering while also continuing his involvement in high-level hockey.

“Having played competitive hockey for so long, I understand how essential athletic achievement is, in terms of learning crucial life lessons,” Sharir-Smith wrote in his application for the award. “In order to keep learning about life through athletics – and because I love the game, I will be sure to continue playing.”

He plans on pursuing a career in the alternative energy field by either creating his own start-up company or joining an already established firm.