Texas Amateur Hockey Association

Because of lack of compliance by local on-ice coaches, TAHA has adopted a rule that will be enforced for the 2008-09 season.  To view the rule in its entirety, click on the "Coaches" section to the left of this message. 

View the Tournament page for the link to The Summer Games of Texas.   

Visit the "Tournament" page for postings on some upcoming hockey tournaments!

Phoenix Level 4 Clinic - September 12-14, 2008.  Details in the "Coaches" tab on the left. 

Check out the great article posted on the "Parent Education" page, on the inherent benefits of hockey in real life.

Sled hockey is moving..... all over Texas that is!  Come out and watch us grow and expand into new cities.  Catch the lastest updates and schedules on the "Disabled Hockey " page. 

Check out the pictures in the "Photo" section for some adult sled hockey action in San Antonio on March 8th and 9th. 

Congratulations to our own Jouni Lehtola for being selected recently as the 2008 “Grass Roots” Volunteer of the Year for the Rocky Mountain District.  Jouni was selected from other affiliate candidates for his past contributions to hockey and longstanding commitment to develop players, educate coaches, and grow the game of hockey in Texas and the District.  Jouni will be recognized by the Rocky Mountain District at the upcoming 2008 USA Hockey Annual Congress in Colorado Springs on June 4-8.

As most may know, Jouni is currently the USA Hockey Coach-in-Chief for Texas, and has been since 2006.  His roots in Texas hockey began in 1993 when he was hired by the Dallas Stars after the club arrived from Minnesota.  He currently conducts all Level 1-2-3 coaching certification clinics in the Dallas-Ft Worth area, and schedules/organizes coaching clinics throughout Texas and Oklahoma. He plans and runs all on-ice activities at the Texas player development camp, serves as a coach for the RMD Player Development Camp, and helps run many learn-to-skate clinics and camps in Dallas.  Jouni has coached youth hockey from Mite in-house to U18 Midget AA. Jouni thoroughly enjoys working with youth of all ages, as evidenced by his full time day job as a PE teacher.

Jouni was the original hockey program manager for the Dallas Stars in 1993.  He faced many challenges in getting youth hockey off the ground with the first program at Valley Ranch, but worked long and hard hours to get kids at the bottom levels interested in playing hockey. He could be considered the “father of Metroplex youth hockey” as he has been so very instrumental in its huge growth. Thousands of youth players now play hockey in the Dallas-Ft Worth area at one of the many area ice rinks.

Jouni was also recognized for his lengthy list of contributions as a “local hero” on February 17 during the “Hockey Weekend in America”.  The Dallas Stars presented him an award and gift during their home game versus Detroit at the American Airlines Center.  Jouni is regarded by many in the Texas hockey community as “our” local hero.

Take a moment the next time you see Jouni at the rink and tell him thank you for all his time, effort, hard work, and dedication.  This volunteer recognition award is so well deserved.