Every year, the DVCHC honors graduating players who have gone above and beyond, not just for their team but for their community as well. These leaders are, "Dedicated Service to Team, League, Sport."

Past winners have founded teams, kept them alive through crisis, volunteered for inner city hockey, and more -- for hockey, for us. 

On behalf of the league entire, the following leaders are bestowed this honor, our version of a lifetime achievement award.

Since moving into her freshman dorm four years ago, Erin Lyons has been an integral part of Charlottesville’s hockey community. She has consistently been one of UVA’s top defenders, as well as team president for two seasons and captain for her final year. She notably saved the team from extinction in 2015; with an initial roster of only five players, along with a coach’s unexpected departure, she – in the words of Tim Gunn – managed to “make it work.”

In addition to UVA’s Women’s team, the infamous “Nugget” has played in the local adult league, and has helped to grow the game by coaching a youth recreational team and adult learn-to-play. Last season, she also volunteered at USA Hockey’s learn-to-play youth hockey event and worked on a student-run DVCHC committee. Oh, and in her free time, she score keeps for local games.

Rowan University's first ever women's ice hockey recruit. Without Cheyenne, this program would be no where without her commitment to Rowan and women's hockey. From the very start of her college hockey career until the very last second of her last game, Chey was a model teammate, captain and student. Improving each season, Chey finishes her senior year third on the team in points and led the league in plus/minus. Chey's dedication to all of Rowan's Hockey Programs is what we can only hope to have each and every year to come. Aside from being Rowan's shinning defensewoman this year, Chey was the MVP of the 16-17 Championship game against University of Penn. Cheyenne will be very hard to replace but we wish her the best of luck in her 'adulting' endeavors, and we can't thank you enough for all you have done over the last 4 years for Rowan Women's Ice Hockey.

Loyola wouldn’t have a team without its literal founders, but the team those women created three years ago would be nothing without our heart and soul, our perennial most improved player, and this year, perhaps our most important.

Caitlin Cress had only ever played soccer goalie when she came on the ice in full goalie equipment and sneakers (skates weren’t around yet) to learn to play three falls ago, loved it, and never stopped learning or loving the game. Nothing about her changed, but it seemed like a week into her role, she was already fitting all the quirky goalie stereotypes. Soon, the scared look was gone. The fear turned into fire.

Each time she stepped on the ice, Caitlin got better, but that can be said for everyone. Under our goalie coach Matt Goodwin, what made Caitlin stand out was her desire to be great. She didn’t want to just be capable and use her experience level as an excuse. There was no goal that could be explained to be someone else’s fault. She would be the one motivating her teammates after goals, not the other way around.

This award is for players who left an indelible mark on a program, and looking at how far Loyola has come, no player exemplifies that more than her.

Theresa Thompson has contributed countless hours to the Villanova Women's Ice Hockey Team. As an assistant captain, she helped lead the team to nationals this season. Through her sophomore and junior years, Theresa also led as the President of the team. She has helped organize practices, ice times, games as well as fundraisers to benefit the team. In the years I have been a member of the team, I have seen Theresa go above and beyond to help the team. She helped raise team funds and helped show the rising executive officers how to proceed with their roles. Younger members of the team have always felt comfortable speaking to her as a role model. She truly leads by example and has dedicated an infinite amount of time to the team. Aside from her organizational and leadership skills, her hockey skills have also helped to lead the team in success. We recently participated in nationals after securing the DVCHC league title; and Theresa’s athletic abilities were certainly a key factor in that. There is no one more qualified or deserving of the Founder’s award as Theresa demonstrates true passion for the team and sport.

Danielle was one of our most valuable players this year and in every previous year that she played.  She was exceptional in net all season and even when she was at her best it was never good enough for her. She constantly strived to be better.  We regularly had a short bench and most of our team was new to the game, our defensewomen were always trying their best but with only 3 at any given time they would understandably get tired and Danielle would be there to ensure that we always had a chance to win the game.  Her first year on the team was also her first year ever playing ice hockey.  She previously had played field hockey as a goalie and made the transition to play goaltender.  That year was the first year after our previous goaltender had graduated.  The team had been scrambling to find someone to play in net and Danielle joined the team and saved the team in doing so. 

This year she graduated in December at the end of the fall semester but stayed around to play as an alumni for our final two games during the spring semester.  Danielle has previously served the team as president and even unofficially served as captain, even though goaltenders are traditionally not permitted to serve as captain.  She served as president during our most recent coaching change which was a challenge to successfully complete while keeping the team intact since most years the team is short benched.  Even with all of the hurdles needed to keep the team running smoothly Danielle was able to make it work and studied Nursing all while doing it.  She has saved the team from collapse on multiple occasions and was instrumental in doing so again this season.  There has never been a more deserving player in recent years on our team for this award.