MASSENA -- A Massena man was recently honored by USA Hockey with the William Thayer Tutt Award for his grassroots work in enhancing the game of ice hockey.

Doug Ackley has spent some 40 years of his life helping grow the game of hockey at local, state and national levels and has been a leading proponent of building the grassroots USA Hockey initiatives.

His father, Ted Ackley, said Doug coached Erik Cole, a Clarkson and NHL star, throughout his formative years.

Ackley first got involved with coaching when he was in high school in 1973 and became heavily involved in 1983 after moving to Oswego.

He has coached at the learn-to-skate, Squirt and Pee Wee levels, and run clinics and skills camps for all ages.

Ackley has held several administrative positions with the Massena Minor Hockey Association the Oswego Minor Hockey Association, and the New York State Amateur Hockey Association, including terms as president with each.

During his tenure, Ackley has been influential in coaching development and the advancement of officiating.

He has also played a vital role in growing girls’/women’s hockey.

Ackley developed the criteria and selection process for the NYSAHA’s Bob Allen Scholarship program, which financially assists high school or prep school seniors going on to college.

Ackley has served in different capacities on the USA Hockey Board of Directors from 1993-2005 and since 2005 has remained active, serving as NYSAHA’s webmaster and Director Emeritus.

The Wm. Thayer Tutt Award is presented to a volunteer who, during many years of service, has displayed a selfless dedication to the enhancement of ice hockey at the grassroots level in America.