SUDBURY, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) announced Tuesday that Powassan Voodoos captain, Justin Rousseau, has been named the recipient of the Dairy Farmers of Ontario Bursary for the 2025-26 season.
With that, Rousseau will receive $2,500, which will go towards his post-secondary education.
“We at the NOJHL commend Justin on being named the recipient of this honour to aid in furthering his educational pursuits,” says league commissioner, Robert Mazzuca. “His contributions on the ice, as well as in the community of Powassan, and his academic endeavours, are a statement of the dedication being put forth by a multitude of players in our league.”
“Congratulations to Justin Rousseau on being named the first recipient of the Dairy Farmers of Ontario Bursary with the NOJHL,” says Cheryl Smith, CEO, Dairy Farmers of Ontario. “Ontario dairy farmers believe strongly in investing in youth who demonstrate leadership, hard work and a commitment to their communities, which are all values Justin exemplifies both on and off the ice. We’re proud to support Justin as he pursues his post-secondary education and wish him continued success in the years ahead.”
Among the criteria to be considered for the bursary includes:
• Community service: contributing to the wellbeing of local communities through volunteer work and extracurricular activities.
• Athletics: demonstrating strong performance and growth in junior hockey, along with a passion for the game and sporting community.
• Academics: showing dedication to school, achieving strong grades and being a leader in school activities.
As part of three full seasons with the Voodoos, the 20-year-old from Verner, Ont., skated in 139 NOJHL contests, collecting 106 points on 26 tallies and 80 assists.
Rousseau was earlier named the league’s winner of the Mitch Tetreault Memorial Trophy, emblematic of its Top Defensive Forward Award for the season.
His efforts helped Powassan lead the NOJHL in penalty kill proficiency at 83.6 per cent and proved to be one of the elite centremen on winning face-offs.
About Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) is the marketing board for the largest sector of Ontario agriculture. Our mission is to provide leadership and excellence in the production and marketing of Canadian milk for a dynamic, profitable growing dairy industry. Ontario’s 10,000+ dairy farmers and their families on 3,153 farms are proud to produce high-quality milk for Canadians. For more information, visit www.milk.org.
Photo credit: Tanner Wallace / Tan Tan Photography
