The Mike Ridley Awards were established in 2003-04 season as an endowment fund for the University of Manitoba. This is the 14th consecutive season that these funds are being distributed to both Bison men's and women's hockey programs.

For the 2016-17 season, there are 20 Bison men's hockey players and four Bison women's hockey players awarded based on exhibited superior athletic ability coupled with good academic standing and high level of leadership as a full-time student. This season, each male student-athlete received $875 and each female student-athlete received $775.

Mike Ridley played with the Manitoba Bisons from 1983 to 1985 before embarking on a 12 year NHL career with the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks. His last season as a professional was played with the Manitoba Moose. The Winnipeg native was the first Bison hockey player to have his jersey retired. Ridley's number seven hangs from the rafters of the Wayne Fleming Arena and was officially retired on January 26, 2004.


The following Bison hockey players are 2016-17 Mike Ridley Awards recipients
Men
Justin Augert
Liam Bilton
Channing Brescani
Brett Brooks
Warren Callis
Lee Christensen
Sean Christensen
Jordan DePape
Brett Dudar
Hudson Friesen
Adam Henry
Remi Laurencelle
Shaq Merasty
Jesse Paradis
Justin Paulic
Byron Spriggs
Brett Stovin
Dasan Sydora
Jonah Wasylak
Nick Zajac

Women
Erin Kucheravy
Charity Price
Alanna Serhan
Jayden Skoleski