Local Sports Journal

MUSKEGON – First-year Muskegon Lumberjacks Head Coach Todd Krygier will now have some help behind the bench, as the club has tapped Rich McKenna to be Krygier’s assistant, the Lumberjacks announced today. McKenna comes to Muskegon following a two-year stint as an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut.

Krygier said he’s excited to have McKenna join his staff.

“We are really excited to have Rich (McKenna) come aboard as he brings five years of college coaching experience and is able to take on multiple responsibilities to help make the team better,” said Krygier via a press release. “His perspective and experience in the college game will be valuable to this organization, and he will be a good mentor to our players as we look to grow and develop them into exceptional people on and off the ice.”

McKenna, a Monroe, NY native joined the Huskies’ staff in 2011, initially specializing in recruiting. Last year, he took over some coaching responsibilities as well, working with the defenseman and special teams, along with assuming the role of video coordinator and developing and executing practice and game plans.

Beginning in 2009, McKenna was an assistant coach at Div. 3 Wesleyan Univeristy in Middletown, CT, working as the recruiting coordinator, coaching the squad’s forwards and helping to run practices. Along with his duties with the hockey team, McKenna also earned a Masters of Liberal Arts degree from Wesleyan.

A 2007 graduate of Div. 3 Castleton State College (Vermont) where McKenna earned his team’s Unsung Hero and Coaches awards, playing for the team from 2005-07. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing, he joined the team during the 2008-09 season as a recruiter.

McKenna graduating from Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ), earning his team’s MVP award in 2001-02 and helping his team earn a league title. After graduating from high School, McKenna played two seasons for Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY. McKenna has also coached at the New England and Atlantic District USA Hockey Development Camps.

“I’m super excited to be part of a world class organization that is involved in the best Tier 1 hockey league in the world,” said McKenna, according to a press release. “I am looking forward to working with Todd (Krygier) and the rest of the front office staff to help take the Lumberjacks to the next level. Muskegon is a great destination for hockey and the perfect place to raise a young family.”

Coach Krygier has indicated he will add at least one more assistant coach to his staff.