This week it was announced that Winkler Flyers forward Jaden Townsend was named as the 2020 recipient of the Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba (IBAM) $2,000.00 scholarship. This award is given annually to a graduating player who has been actively involved in the community and has plans to pursue further education.

Townsend, 21, spent the past four seasons within the Manitoba Junior Hockey League as a member of both the Swan Valley Stampeders (2016-19) and the Winkler Flyers (2019-20), following three seasons of provincial AAA play within the Parkland Rangers bantam and midget programs.

“I’m honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 IBAM Scholarship Award,” the Roblin, MB. product said in a statement from the MJHL. “This scholarship will greatly assist me in pursuing my post-secondary education. I would like to thank the Winkler Flyers and Swan Valley Stampeders organizations for all their guidance and for providing me with an exceptional junior experience. I would also like to thank my teammates, billets and family in providing me the support I needed to achieve my goals.”

Despite normally presenting the $2K cheque at the annual President’s Reception & Dinner held annually each spring, IBAM was forced to cancel the yearly spectacle due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and opted to present the bursary to Townsend this summer. The Flyers’ captain will attend the University of Manitoba this fall.

In 213 total MJHL games over four seasons, Townsend put up 54 goals, 110 points and 171 penalty minutes between the Stampeders and Flyers. 2019-20 saw the six-foot, 200-pound forward earn 17 goals, 37 points and 90 penalty minutes, before suiting up in one playoff game prior to the league-wide shutdown.