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Rep. Thaddeus McCotter

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Division 1 Ice Hockey Coach of the Year, Todd Krygier. A native of Chicago Heights, Illinois and resident of Novi, Michigan, Coach Krygier led his Novi High School skaters to their first state championship in the team's 13 year history.

As a left winger with the University of Connecticut, Todd Krygier was selected to the 1987 NCAA East Second All-American Team after scoring 48 points in 28 games for the Huskies. He was drafted by Hartford in the 1988 Supplemental Draft and played parts of two seasons with the Whalers before being traded to the Washington Capitals in 1991 and then to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 1994. Having been reacquired by the Capitals during the 1995-96 season, Coach Todd Krygier brings the unique perspective of having closed out his 543 game NHL career by playing in the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals. Krygier went on to play two seasons with the Orlando Solar Bears of the IHL before retiring in

This season Coach Krygier and the Wildcats reached the pinnacle by dethroning perennial contender Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 39-24, earning their first state championship. Todd Krygier led his team to a 30-5-1 record including a 6-0 playoff run that saw the Wildcats score 29 goals to their opponents' total of 4. Five of Coach Krygier's players were selected to All State teams, four First Team and one Second Team, while another player was selected for Honorable Mention.

It is worth mentioning Coach Todd Krygier also earned family honors this year by leading his Novi Wildcats to a 9-1 win over younger brother, Bryan Krygier's Clarkston Wolves in the state quarterfinals; also, Bryan Krygier's assistant coach is their father, Roman Krygier.

Mr. Speaker, after earning his first state championship and being selected as the Michigan High School Athletic Association's 2010 Division 1 Ice Hockey Coach of the Year, Todd Krygier deserves to be recognized for his dedication to the young men of Novi High School. In recognition of his effort and the honor bestowed upon him, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Novi Hockey Coach Todd Krygier, his wife Kim and their children Brock, Natalie, Grace, Cole and Christian on Todd's accolades and in honoring his devotion to our community and country.