Volunteer Spotlight Featuring Luke Alpe

Luke’s journey into volunteering began through the encouragement of a former hockey coach who recognized his passion for the game and let him know there was a need for a high school coach. His connection to the Champaign Urbana Youth Hockey Association streteches back even further to his time with the Illinois Men’s Hockey Club, where he regularly helped with Learn to Skate sessions after practice.

 

Throughout the season, Luke found joy in watching players grow not only in skill, but in confidence and character. He takes pride in passing along lessons that shaped him as a young hockey player, and he’s especially inspired by the team’s resilience in the face of tough losses and challenging stretches. One of Luke’s most memorable experiences came late in the season, when players rallied together to overcome a rival, forcing overtime and ultimately securing a playoff spot. Celebrating that hard-earned win in front of a packed crowd was a moment that perfectly captured the players’ dedication and the heart of youth hockey.