KCYHA Players and Families:
As you know, the recent pandemic has been a challenge at many levels.  The KCYHA has been working diligently with local ice facilities to achieve an organized and safe return to hockey by following proper health and safety guidance.  Change is inevitable.

We are very pleased to announce that Doug Soetaert has settled in the Kansas City area and offered to join the KCYHA in a leadership capacity.  At the Annual Meeting of Directors, the KCYHA Board named Doug the President and Executive Hockey Director of the organization. 

Hailing from Edmonton, Doug was selected by the New York Rangers in the second round of the 1975 Amateur Draft.  He played 12 seasons as a goaltender in the NHL. He hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadians in 1986. 

In 1990, he became the inaugural coach and then general manager for the Kansas City Blades in the International Hockey League.  The team won the Turner Cup and Doug was named IHL Executive of the Year in 1991-92. 

After eleven successful years in Kansas City, Doug moved to Everett, Washington to launch the Everett Silvertips, recognized as one of the most successful and record-setting Major Junior expansion franchises in CHL history. He took the Silvertips to the WHL finals in his first season as VP/GM.  He developed five NHL first round picks selected from Everett during his tenure. 

After nine playoff seasons in Everett, Doug went to Europe and began working for Red Bull Hockey’s pro teams in Salzburg, Austria and Munich, Germany.  He was in charge of recruiting players for the pro teams.  In addition, he was in charge of evaluating amateur players in the Red Bull junior and youth hockey programs.

Most recently, Doug worked for the NHL Arizona Coyotes managing their AHL developmental team in Tucson and their NHL scouting program.

His strength is growing successful professional and amateur hockey organizations from the ground up.  We look forward to learning from Doug in our continuing effort to build the KCYHA and offer constantly improving programs and experiences for our players and families.

Kansas City Youth Hockey Association
Board of Directors