May 2021 – Kyle was awarded, posthumously, the Trails West Shawn Morgan Memorial Coach Dedication Award for the 2019-2020 season.

July 19, 2020

We had some very sad news in the Trails West family this week as we learned of the sudden passing of our long serving Bantam and Midget coach, Kyle Couture, in a work place accident.

Kyle was a non parent Coach from 2005 to 2020, spending 8 of those years with Trails West. Kyle had a great passion for the game of hockey as was always loved and admired by his players and their families. During the 2014/15 season Kyle had one of the greatest seasons in the history of Trails West with his co-coach and close friend Bruno Di Lello. Together they guided the Midget 1 team to the Triple Crown of minor hockey, winning Esso Minor Hockey Week, the Calgary City Championship and the Alberta Provincial Championship.

Despite all his on ice success, Kyle’s love of the game was based upon influencing the young men he coached as a positive role model and an example of someone who loved to give back. Always popular with his players, Kyle was a “players coach” who believed in developing his players with positive feedback and encouragement. Kyle was intensely committed to his teams and took great interest in the players with an emphasis on having fun with hockey while also becoming solid citizens and achieving academic success.

Trails West is greatly indebted to Kyle for his countless hours of volunteering and the positive impact he had on so many players. We are pleased to announce the Kyle Couture Memorial Scholarship that will provide an annual $500 scholarship to a Midget player entering post secondary studies. Kyle was a master electrician and preference will be given to applicants pursuing a trade or technical diploma and also to applicants who have given back to the game of hockey. Two scholarships will be awarded this season. Trails West is also purchasing a trophy for the annual Midget Cup that will be dedicated in Kyle’s honour and named the Couture Cup.

Our thoughts go out to Kyle’s family and friends. We have many players with happy memories of their time spent with Coach Kyle and we look forward to honouring his dedication and passion for years to come.

To learn more about Kyle and his family you can visit the link below. I’m sure his family would love to hear from some of his former players through the online Guestbook.

https://calgaryherald.remembering.ca/obituary/kyle-couture-1079531569

Andy King
Chairman, Trails West Hockey Association

Jeff Beatty
President, Trails West Hockey Association

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