Head Coach Steve Cygan

Coach Cygan brings a depth of experience and professionalism to the team with over eight years experience coaching high performing AA and AAA teams. As a player, he has ten years experience, played in 324 professional hockey games, has taken on the additional responsibilities as a team captain, and was nominated the top 50 WCHA player of all time.

Level 4 Coaching Certification

My goals are to develop the players: teaching core and advanced skills, fundamental hockey IQ, and personal development. I believe in an aggressive approach to the game that includes a fast pace, puck movement, personal accountability and fun.

Coaching History:

• 2023-2024 Team Illinois 2009 Bantam AAA 2009 Birth Year (Assistant Coach) Ranked #41
• 2022-2023 Windy City Storm Peewee/Bantam AAA 2011/2009 Birth Year (Assistant Coach) Ranked #11/#17
• 2021-2022 Windy City Storm Squirt AAA 2011 Birth Year (Assistant Coach) Ranked #10
• 2020-2021 Lake Count Vipers Squirt AA Central States 2010 Birth Year (Assistant Coach)
• 2019-2020 Lake County Vipers Mite AA 2011 Birth Year (Head Coach)
• 2018-2019 Lake County Vipers Mite AA 2011 Birth Year (Head Coach)
• 2017-2018 Lake County Vipers Mite AA 2011 Birth Year (Head Coach)

Player History:

• 2007 Chicago Hounds (UHL) Head Coach: Greg Puhalski. Team Captain. 59 Games played, 35 points.
• 2006 Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL) Head Coach: Frank Anzalone. 48 games played, 23 points.
• 2005 Trenton Titans/Pee Dee Pride (ECHL) Head Coach: Mike Havilland/Perry Florio. 65 games played, 33 points.
• 2003-2005 Rockford Ice Hogs (UHL) Head Coach: Scott Bell/Mark Bernard. UHL Rookie of the Year (72 points).
• 1998-2002 University of Alaska Anchorage (WCHA) Head Coach: Dean Talafous/John HilL. Team Leading Scorer (1999-2002). Assistant Captain (2002). 143 games played, 90 points.
• 1997 Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) HC: Dave Haksto. 51 games played, 46 points.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” Wayne Gretzky

Coach Cygan brings a depth of experience and professionalism to the team with over eight years experience coaching high performing AA and AAA teams. As a player, he has ten years experience, played in 324 professional hockey games, has taken on the additional responsibilities as a team captain, and was nominated the top 50 WCHA player of all time.

Level 4 Coaching Certification

My goals are to develop the players: teaching core and advanced skills, fundamental hockey IQ, and personal development. I believe in an aggressive approach to the game that includes a fast pace, puck movement, personal accountability and fun.

Coaching History:

• 2023-2024 Team Illinois 2009 Bantam AAA 2009 Birth Year (Assistant Coach) Ranked #41
• 2022-2023 Windy City Storm Peewee/Bantam AAA 2011/2009 Birth Year (Assistant Coach) Ranked #11/#17
• 2021-2022 Windy City Storm Squirt AAA 2011 Birth Year (Assistant Coach) Ranked #10
• 2020-2021 Lake Count Vipers Squirt AA Central States 2010 Birth Year (Assistant Coach)
• 2019-2020 Lake County Vipers Mite AA 2011 Birth Year (Head Coach)
• 2018-2019 Lake County Vipers Mite AA 2011 Birth Year (Head Coach)
• 2017-2018 Lake County Vipers Mite AA 2011 Birth Year (Head Coach)

Player History:

• 2007 Chicago Hounds (UHL) Head Coach: Greg Puhalski. Team Captain. 59 Games played, 35 points.
• 2006 Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL) Head Coach: Frank Anzalone. 48 games played, 23 points.
• 2005 Trenton Titans/Pee Dee Pride (ECHL) Head Coach: Mike Havilland/Perry Florio. 65 games played, 33 points.
• 2003-2005 Rockford Ice Hogs (UHL) Head Coach: Scott Bell/Mark Bernard. UHL Rookie of the Year (72 points).
• 1998-2002 University of Alaska Anchorage (WCHA) Head Coach: Dean Talafous/John HilL. Team Leading Scorer (1999-2002). Assistant Captain (2002). 143 games played, 90 points.
• 1997 Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) HC: Dave Haksto. 51 games played, 46 points.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” Wayne Gretzky