On Sunday, April 3, 2011, members of the San Antonio Youth Hockey Association gathered together at Bigz Burgers on Loop 1604 to take a look back at the season’s accomplishments, to thank those who contribute and to give ourselves a big pat on the back for surviving another successful hockey season.

Coaches talked about their play-off runs, their team MVPs, their emerging leaders and the season’s success. Along with the emotional high there was also time for tears -- a tearful goodbye, a tearful tribute to academic excellence, and when Coach Doug Tresnak was presented with a sweet Detroit Redwings watch , Rob Rasmussen sobbed, inconsolably! 

Squirt Assistant Coach Wayne Morrison announced 2010-11 would be the end of his long coaching career. Association President David Jones presented Coach Wayne with a plaque to thank him for his years and years and years of service. It was touching to see Coach Wayne thank his lovely wife for supporting his hockey obsession and it was never more evident how many San Antonio players Coach Wayne instructed until the boys lined up for a group photo…squirts to midgets, ages 9 to 18.   We’re sure each and every one of these boys knows the most famous player Coach Wayne ever coached…say it with me now…”LaFontaine!”   We thank you, Coach Wayne, for being a beloved San Antonio coaching legend! You will be missed by so many.

Newly-elected Commissioner Robyn Tresnak presented two Midget players with the 2010-11 Sammon’s Scholarship for academic excellence.   As David Jones offered a supportive hug, dedicated teacher Robyn Tresnak choked back the emotion when she read the accomplishments and sacrifices of this year’s recipients, Forest Neil and Kyle Wilson.  Both Forest and Kyle have come through San Antonio Youth Hockey system as dedicated scholar-athletes. Now bound for an ivy-league education, Kyle and Forest serve as role models for all those players at younger levels.

A surprise award was presented to Coach Doug Tresnak. David Jones explained the basis for the recognition, “One day I asked Doug how long he’d been coaching and Doug said, “I don’t know…about 20 years, I guess.’” We may not know exactly how many years Doug has coached hockey in San Antonio, but the tremendous impact he’s had makes him a local hockey fixture for generations. Doug’s dedication to developing kids who play hockey into ‘hockey players, ’ as well as training coaches and referees are some of the many contributing factors to the success of our youth hockey organization.

The Commissioner’s Cup nominees topped off the final  presentation for the event. The Commissioner’s Cup is awarded to one player who epitomizes the qualities of good sportsmanship, physical fitness, outstanding leadership and hockey skill. Typically one player from each team is nominated by the coaches for this top honor, but only one player, chosen by the Association Commissioner, can be the winner.

For 2010-11 the Commissioner’s Cup nominees were: