ABOUT
R.C. Lyke, a native of Poughkeepsie, New York, grew up playing AAA hockey for the Ramapo Saints. He went on to play for Suffern High School, where he excelled as a defenseman, leading his team, county, and district in scoring among defensemen. For his accomplishments, Lyke earned both All-County and All-District honors while helping the perennial New York State powerhouse reach two Final Four appearances. Years later, he was inducted into the Suffern Hockey Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding career with the Mounties.
Lyke enjoyed a highly successful Junior A career, including a stint in the NAHL, where he won a Robertson Cup Championship with the Springfield Jr. Blues. He also played for the Bismarck Bobcats in the AFHL, serving as team captain and representing the league at the King of the Hill Tournament as a member of the AFHL All-Star Team. He concluded his junior career in the OPJHL with the Syracuse Crunch, where he again served as captain and earned All-Star honors.
Lyke went on to earn an athletic scholarship to play NCAA Division I hockey at Mercyhurst University. During his time at Mercyhurst, he became a key member of the Lakers' defensive core, helping lead the program to a MAAC Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Division I National Tournament. In recognition of his contributions to the program, he was later inducted into the Mercyhurst University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Following his collegiate career, Lyke played seven seasons of professional hockey in the IHL, UHL, CHL, and SPHL. He finished his professional career with the Richmond Renegades, serving as a player-coach during his final two seasons. Known as a physical, hard-hitting, stay-at-home defenseman, Lyke appeared in 418 professional games, recording 20 goals, 71 assists, 91 points, and 632 penalty minutes.
After retiring from professional hockey, Lyke transitioned into coaching and player development. In 2009, he founded the Richmond Generals AA/AAA Youth and Junior A Hockey Organization. Over the next 12 years, he built the Generals into one of the nation's premier developmental programs. Behind the bench, Coach Lyke compiled an impressive record of 819 regular-season and playoff victories in 1,071 games.
Under his leadership, the Richmond Generals captured:
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2 Regular Season League Championships
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5 Southeast Division Regular Season Championships
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5 Southeast Conference Playoff Championships
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4 Southern Conference Championships
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2 National Championships
Lyke was nominated for Coach of the Year seven times and earned MetJHL Coach of the Year honors during the 2013–14 season.
In addition to his coaching success, Lyke has served as Head Scout for several prominent organizations, including the Topeka RoadRunners (NAHL), Aberdeen Wings (NAHL), Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL), and Twin City Thunder (NCDC). He currently serves as a U.S. Scout for the Cape Breton Eagles of the QMJHL.
What Coach Lyke takes the greatest pride in is helping players reach the next level while developing them into successful young men off the ice. To date, he has helped more than 830 players advance to the CHL, USHL, NAHL, CJHL, NCAA, and U SPORTS ranks, with many continuing on to professional hockey—including the NHL.