The IYHA staff is thrilled to announce that the 2024-2025 Coach of the Year is Alex Welling of the 8U 317 Hockey League.

Coach Alex was instrumental in ensuring the development of each of his players but went above and beyond when a player on his team was dealt life’s hardest hand. His leadership was key to ensuring the team gave William their full love and support.

Alex has loved the game since he was a kid, but started playing as an adult thanks to the encouragement from his wife, Lindsey. Together they have two kids, Haper and Levi.

Coach Alex works as a leader in the control room at MISO Energy between trips to the rink but says his favorite part about coaching is watching the kids develop and grow their confidence. Alex said this about his experience with coaching, “with the 8U division it’s fun to watch how much they can absorb in such a short time. It’s a real honor being able to teach this generation about hard work and being a good teammate.”

A lot of great things can be said about Coach Alex, but the following from his nomination form is all anyone would need to know.

“Coach Alex has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to the team. Their priority has always been ensuring the game remains fun, emphasizing teamwork over personal victories. They treat each player as an individual, encouraging personal growth and helping each athlete reach their full potential. Additionally, Coach Alex consistently seeks opportunities to improve their own coaching skills, striving to become a better mentor and leader. They lead by example, displaying sportsmanship and integrity, setting a standard for their players to follow. Notably, Coach Alex went above and beyond in supporting an ill teammate, fostering a sense of unity and care within the team. Their energy, passion, and ability to engage players made the experience not just about competition, but about enjoyment and development. Their positive impact on the team is both invaluable and deeply appreciated.”

Congratulations, Coach Alex, on your well-deserved award!

IYHA is always looking for more volunteer coaches who want to give back to the game and the kids the way Coach Alex has. If you are interested in coaching in the 317 Hockey League, please reach out to JJ at jj@iyha.com for more information.

Indy Jr Fuel 12U Red and 10U Red (2015) concluded the Buckeye Travel Hockey League’s end of season playoff tournament atop their respective divisions. 12U Red won the 12U A Gold division playoffs in Cincinnati, while 10U Red (2015) were crowned champs of the 10U A Bronze division in Louisville.

The Indy Jr Fuel 12U Red team’s playoff win comes on the heels of a very impressive regular season in BTHL play. They skated to an outstanding record of 14-1-1, leading their division in goal differential with a margin of +45. Coming in as the 1st seed, they were a perfect 4-0 through the tournament, winning the championship game 7-2 over the SISU Thunderbirds. Congratulations to Coach Pavel and the 12U Red team on a great season filled with many victories and great experiences for the players!

10U Red (Coach Dickmeyer) secured another championship banner for the IYHA Jr Fuel in the 10U A Bronze division of the BTHL end of season tournament in Louisville. An up and down regular season gave the 10U Red the experience they needed for a playoff push. Coach Dickmeyer had his players prepared for some tough tests, where their high-flying offense helped them advance to the finals. Their tough defense proved enough to best the Athens Bobcats by a score 3-2 in the championship game.

Other finalists from the IYHA Jr Fuel include 10U Red (Coach Bryan) who lost to Indian Hill 3-2 in the 10U A Gold division, 12U White lost in a heartbreaker of a game in a shootout to the Athens Bobcats for the 12U A Bronze division championship.

It was a great season for all nine IYHA Jr Fuel teams who participated in Buckeye Travel Hockey League play. Two tournament champions, two finalists, and three regular season winners mark the end of another successful season for the good guys from Indy in the BTHL.

A special thank you is owed to all of our BTHL players, parents, families, and coaches for making this season another great one!

As we prepare for tryouts the weekend of May 16th-18th, players can take advantage of Spring Programming to sharpen their skills, improve their conditioning, prepare for checking, or all the above. Visit www.iyha.com/spring for the comprehensive list of programs offered.