A scholarship that fuels the next generation
The 2026 Youth Hockey Scholarship is a joint effort between the Saginaw Spirit Charitable Foundation and Huntington Bank. It provides a $5,000 award to each selected player who is rostered with a Saginaw, Bay County or Midland youth hockey association and is 18 years old or younger.
Eligible applicants must submit their requests by October 9, 2026. A local committee representing the three participating associations will review the applications and choose the recipients, who will be notified in late October.
Award winners will be celebrated on the ice during a Saginaw Spirit home game, adding a community spotlight to the achievement. Since the program’s inception in 2023, more than $13,000 in scholarships has been distributed to local players, underscoring the foundation’s commitment to youth sports development.
Beyond the financial support, the scholarship ties into the broader narrative of growing hockey in the region. The Spirit’s season opener is scheduled for September 19 at the Dow Event Center, setting the stage for a year that blends competitive play with community investment.