The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Phil Mazzone Memorial Career Enhancement Program Scholarships.

Cole Bardreau (Bridgeport Islanders), Parker Gahagen (Lehigh Valley Phantoms), James Mazza (Kansas City Mavericks), and Chaz Reddekopp (Toledo Walleye) are being awarded educational scholarships of $2,500 USD each which they may use at educational institutions or programs partnered with the PHPA’s Career Enhancement Program (CEP). 

The scholarships are awarded annually to two (2) American Hockey League players and two (2) ECHL players who genuinely aspire to continue their education, made a positive impact on their team and community, and demonstrated mentorship, leadership, and encouragement toward others.  Applicants detailed their career aspirations, desired courses or program, along with how they embody the spirit of Phil Mazzone.

Mazzone was instrumental in the formation of the PHPA Career Enhancement Program in 1997 and served as its first program Coordinator until his retirement in 2004.  Since its inception, the program has assisted over 2,500 PHPA Members, offering a range of services including education upgrades, employment placements, and preparation for their post hockey careers.  Prior to his tenure at the PHPA, Mazzone was a long-time educator who was experienced in helping high school students transition to post-secondary education or the workforce.  He helped hundreds of student-athletes achieve their goal of attaining a college scholarship. 

The scholarship recipients were selected by members of the Mazzone family and CEP Coordinator, Steve Carney. 

“I would like to commend each scholarship recipient for demonstrating a true desire and passion to further develop their skill sets and post-hockey career aspirations while embodying the spirit and core values of the late Phil Mazzone,” said PHPA Executive Director, Brian Ramsay.  “The PHPA is pleased to continue to offer its support and present opportunities such as these to our Members.” 

Today, the PHPA Career Enhancement Program offers a variety of services and opportunities to PHPA Members and its Alumni Network through partnerships with Athabasca University and Oregon State University, the NHL Exposure Combine, Fire and Emergency Training Institute (FESTI), Tremco Construction Products, the Flynn Group, and many more.  For more information about the Career Enhancement Program, please contact Program Coordinator Steve Carney at scarney@phpa.com or 289-296-5561.

About the PHPA

Since its inception in 1967, the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) has continued to serve as an advocate of player interests.  Currently, the PHPA is the certified, U.S. National Labor Relations Board collective bargaining representative for over 1,800 Members across 61 teams throughout the American Hockey League and ECHL.  Further, the PHPA continues to serve over 10,500 former PHPA Members through its Alumni Network.  Visit PHPA.com, follow the PHPA on Facebook (fb.com/thephpa), X (@thephpa), and Instagram (@thephpa) and tune into The PHPA Podcast.