TWHA Awards

Ken and Beryl Knudtsen Memorial Spirit Award

The award is about the "spirit" of hockey and honors both Ken and Beryl Knudtsen, whose spirit, love of the game and never-ending support are why this award was created.

The Ken and Beryl Knudtsen Memorial Spirit Award has two components. The first is to recognize a player who exhibits the spirit of the game, as exemplified by Ken and Beryl. The Spirit Trophy will be awarded to one player from Trails West Hockey Association, to be selected from the U9, U11, U13 and U15 age groups as Ken’s grandchildren played at these levels. The award is to be given to the player who exhibits exemplary commitment and dedication to his or her team and the game of hockey. This is not meant to be a popularity contest or the top player award. It is to recognize:

  • A player’s passion for the game
  • The player who exhibits commitment and dedication to the game
  • The overall spirit the player brings to the game of hockey
  • The sportsmanship exhibited by the player

A $500.00 gift card to Play-It-Again-Sports Westhills, the winner’s name on the trophy displayed at the Flames Community Arenas, and a personal engraved water bottle are confirmed gifts for the Spirit Award recipient.

The second component of the award is recognized in the name of the award recipient and provides financial assistance to players of families in need within the Trails West Hockey Association. It is monetary assistance towards the registration fee for one season at TWHA and/or assistance for hockey equipment provided from Play-It-Again-Sports Westhills for one or more players with financial challenges. Recipients of this award component will be decided on a year-to-year basis. All TWHA families challenged with the cost of hockey can contact the TWHA Administrator to apply for this and other financial assistance opportunities.

Nominations

Nominations for this award can be submitted by Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Mangers for one player on their team. Please submit nominations by email to admin@trailswesthockey.com describing the reasons you think your nominee should be chosen for the award.

The deadline for nominations has been extended to Monday February 26th, 2024. Once all nominees are received, the Knudtsen family will choose the Spirit Award recipient and arrange with the recipient's team manager to present the award, ideally at the team's year end wrap up party.

The Spirit of Hockey as exemplified by Ken and Beryl Knudtsen

Ken Knudtsen: March 18, 1942 - September 4, 2009 
Korey and Kelly Knudtsen played hockey for Trails West Hockey Association for 5 seasons before the boundaries changed, moving them to the Bow River Hockey Association. Ken, who passed away September 4, 2009 after a very brief battle with cancer, was Korey’s and Kelly's Grandfather (PaPa). The Knudtsen family want this award to go to a Trails West player as this is where Ken was a part of his grandchildren's hockey.

Ken was dedicated to watching Korey and Kelly play hockey. He rarely missed anything to do with his grandchildren – especially their hockey. He would show up from the East side of Calgary during wicked winter conditions to help tie skates for any kid who needed help until his hands were raw and bleeding. He would pick them up after school and take them to the outdoor ice, check out new hockey equipment at the beginning of the year, take skates to be sharpened, take the kids to hockey schools, practices, games, tournaments, both in Calgary and out of town. If both boys had a game on the same night he would catch the first period of one game then travel across the city to watch the third period of the other game. He was nuts for his grandsons’ hockey and nothing would stop him.

One time, Kelly had a tournament in Canmore and Korey had a tournament in Sundre on the same weekend. First, Ken went to Canmore to watch Kelly then hopped in the car and went to Sundre the same night, during an ice storm, to watch Korey. That's DEDICATION! He made many sacrifices from the beginning of each season to the final year-end hockey party to support all of Korey and Kelly's hockey endeavors.

Beryl Knudtsen: May 5, 1942 – November 3, 2014 
Beryl Knudtsen (Ken's wife and Korey and Kelly's grandmother) passed away unexpectedly Nov. 3, 2014 after a brief illness. Beryl was the instigator and life‐force behind the Ken Knudtsen Memorial Spirit Award.

Beryl was always at Ken's side cheering on and supporting the boys and their teammates. Beryl was a very vocal supporter (hint‐typical hockey mom and grandmom). Beryl always had words of encouragement, consoling when needed, tending to injuries and whatever else was required. Beryl provided many tournament picnic baskets consisting of healthy, nutritious snacks, in‐room breakfasts and lunches prior to and in between out of town tournament games. Beryl always contributed to fund‐raising events. She was very proud of her grandsons' hockey accomplishments as well as having a love for the game of hockey.

Beryl put a lot of time, effort and love into this award and derived great pleasure from the joy it brought all those involved. Beryl was overjoyed to see this award grow beyond her expectations and continue past the time frame initially planned.

Shawn Morgan Memorial Coach Dedication Award

One of Shawn’s greatest passions was coaching hockey and his greatest joy was coaching his sons Nate & Justin for 10 years from Timbits to Bantam.  Shawn is best remembered for the smile he had on his face when he left for the rink, while he was on the ice or behind the bench; when he came home from the rink his joy and enthusiasm spilled out with stories about his players from a game or practice.

Aside from Shawn’s love of hockey & spending time with his two boys, the reason he coached was ‘To Make A Difference’ in the life of each and every athlete. He was all about ‘Fair Play’, ‘Having Fun on the Ice’, teaching about commitment, dedication & hard work, in Shawn’s words, “Always Keep Your Feet Moving”.

Shawn was an exceptional individual, husband, father & coach who did not have favourites, in fact, his own sons were never given any favours, like additional ice time. He coached many kids in Trails West and truly made a difference helping them improve to become better hockey players, athletes and individuals.

When Shawn passed away in February 2015, many players came forward to say, “Coach Shawn Was the Best Coach I’ve Ever Had”. When asked why, they simply said, “Because He Cared About Me”.

Shawn Morgan was a coach in Trails West from 2005-2014 inspiring many, instilling character, commitment, competitiveness, integrity, respect, passion & sportsmanship. The Shawn Morgan Memorial Coach Dedication Award is given annually to a coach that exemplifies his ideals of commitment, dedication, passion & sportsmanship. In memory of Shawn a banner hangs in the Flames Community Arenas - Gold Arena honouring his commitment & dedication to the players he coached and inspired.

Recipients:

Trails West Volunteer Dedication Award

 

Presented annually to volunteers who have shown extraordinary efforts and distinction in their service to our association over a long period. These volunteers have dedicated many years of making a difference in young hockey players lives and their long volunteer commitment is sincerely appreciated.

Recipients:

  • 2023/24 - Jeff Beatty
  • 2022/23 - Mike Cameron
  • 2021/22 - Gigi Douglas
  • 2020/21 - Andy King
  • 2019/20 - Chad & Karen McCormick
  • 2018/19 - Greg Robertson
  • 2017/18 - Sally Grotsky

Hockey Calgary Awards

Association Volunteer of the Year

Annually Trails West is given the opportunity to recognize a Volunteer of the Year at the Hockey Calgary Volunteer Celebration.  This award is presented to one of our outstanding volunteers who have shown significant dedication to their volunteer role(s) within our Association.  We would like to thank each and every volunteer for their time and dedication that has helped make Trails West a great hockey association.

Recipients:

Other Hockey Calgary Awards 

Recipients:

  • 2023/24 - Ray Hostland Memorial Award - Mark Sawyer
  • 2021/22 - Ian Anderson Memorial Official of the Year - Kiran Little
  • 2018/19 - Executive Director Award - Ron Chicoyne
  • 2016/17 - Ray Hostland Memorial Award - Andy King
  • 2013/14 - Association of the Year - Trails West Hockey Association

Trails West will provide a minimum annual scholarship of $500 to a U18 player entering (or a TWHA alumni pursuing) post secondary studies in the 2024 / 2025 academic year in honour of Kyle Couture. 

 

ABOUT KYLE

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.

Taken too young at the age of 32 due to a workplace accident, Trails West is greatly indebted to Kyle for his countless hours of volunteering and his positive impact that he has on so many players.  

ELIGIBILITY

The Kyle Couture Memorial Scholarship is open to graduating (or alumni) players of Trails West Hockey Association who are pursuing post secondary education at an accredited technical institute, university or college.

Kyle was a master electrician and preference will be given to applicants to pursue a trade or technical diploma and also to applicants who have given back to the game of hockey.

HOW TO APPLY 

The application should include:

  • Application Form
  • Confirmation of Attendance to a post secondary institute
  • Introductory Paragraph about the applicant
  • Letter of Support from their Coach or Other Member of TWHA

DEADLINE TO APPLY - June 30, 2024 

Please email completed application forms and related documents to admin@trailswesthockey.com.  A panel of Trails West Board Members will select scholarship recipients and successful applicants will be notified.

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Trails West Hockey Association

c/o Flames Community Arenas
2390 47 Avenue SW
Calgary AB T2T 5W5

ADMIN@TRAILSWESTHOCKEY.COM