DYHA is a non-profit organization that provides elite-level coaching, support and opportunities to youth athletes in the sport of ice hockey. This organization, based out of the Dr. Pepper Stars Center in Duncanville, was created to offer quality youth hockey players a place to advance their skills in Dallas/Fort Worth Metro Area. Through the years, many quality hockey players either traveled great distances or did not get the opportunity to play because of the lack of programs in the area and DYHA was created to fill that void.

Most of our players will come into the program with a hockey dream, whether it’s playing travel hockey, high school, college or beyond. DYHA strives to position each player so that they are on the path with their dream by setting clear, attainable goals so the player realizes their successes. Our teams play in the prestigious North Texas Hockey League (NTXHL) against other teams from across Texas as well as teams from Louisiana and Oklahoma. As a member of USA Hockey our teams also compete in many tournaments throughout the United States and Canada.

Vince Lombardi is famously quoted as saying that “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” The board members and coaches of the Duncanville Youth Association strongly disagree. Winning, clearly, is not everything, but coming to possess the attributes of a winner is, if not everything, supremely important to young athletes, both now and in their futures beyond sports.  We believe that true winners in the sport of hockey truly love the game. They are dedicated, skilled, courageous, disciplined, exhibit leadership and integrity, and play as much for their team as themselves. We also feel that because of the multiple physical skills, teamwork, unequaled speed of the game, and the sometimes unruly passions involved, ice hockey can help instill these attributes and values more effectively than any other sport.

As such, our young athletes receive the highest quality instruction in the sport of hockey. They are taught proper power skating, stick-handling and shooting. Our teams are instructed on proper fore checking and defensive systems, while at the same time they will also learn about the discipline required playing the game safely and within the rules. They learn respect for teammates, opponents, officials and the game itself. Our teams will be known for their skill and competitiveness, but also for the highest standards of conduct both on and off of the ice. In short, it is the hope of the DYHA that, win or lose, our players come to possess the attributes of champions.

At DYHA, character issues are paramount. We hope many valuable lessons and many happy memories from their time in our program will linger with our youngsters long after their hockey careers have ended. We will have succeeded if our players look back on their experience with us as great fun, and one that continued to benefit them throughout their lives.