R.C. Lyke, a native of Poughkeepsie, NY, grew up playing AAA hockey for the Ramapo Saints. R.C. played for Suffern High School for two years, where he was a standout defenseman, leading his team, the county, and the district in points for defensemen. For his efforts, R.C. was selected to the All-County and All-District teams while helping lead the perennial NYS powerhouse to two Final Four appearances.

R.C. had a very successful Junior A career with stops in the NAHL, winning a Robertson Cup Championship with the Springfield Jr. Blues. He also played for the Bismarck Bobcats in the AFHL, where he was a captain and selected to play in the King of the Hill tournament for the AFHL All-Star Team. He finished his junior career in the OPJHL with the Syracuse Crunch, where he was the captain and selected as an All-Star. Coach Lyke earned an athletic scholarship to play NCAA D1 hockey at Mercyhurst University. While at Mercyhurst, R.C. quickly gained the respect of his teammates as a vital part of their defensive core, which backboned their MAAC Championship and trip to the NCAA Division 1 National Tournament. Years after graduating, R.C. was inducted into the Mercyhurst University Hall of Fame for his accomplishments with the men’s NCAA Division 1 hockey team.

Once Coach Lyke’s NCAA Division 1 hockey career concluded, R.C. went on to play seven years of professional hockey in the IHL, UHL, CHL, and SPHL. R.C. ended his professional playing career in the SPHL with the Richmond Renegades, serving as a player-coach for his final two seasons. R.C. earned a reputation in his professional career as a solid, hard-hitting, tough, defensive defenseman. During his 418-game pro career, he accumulated 20 goals, 71 assists, 91 points, and 632 PIMs.

After R.C. finished his professional playing career, he quickly transitioned into coaching. In 2009, R.C. started the Richmond Generals AA/AAA Youth and Junior A hockey organizations. In a 12-year span, R.C. helped build the Richmond Generals Youth and Junior A organization into a nationally recognized developmental program. Coach Lyke amassed a very impressive winning record behind the Richmond Generals bench in his 12 years, earning over 769 regular-season and playoff wins in 1,071 games. Coach Lyke guided the Richmond Generals to 2 Regular Season League Championships, 5 Southeast Regular Season Division Championships, 5 Southeast Playoff Conference Championships, 4 Southern Conference Championships, and 2 National Championships. Coach Lyke was nominated for “Coach of the Year” 7 times during his 12 years coaching the Richmond Generals Junior Hockey Program. He won the MetJHL “Coach of the Year” award during the 2013-2014 season.

Coach Lyke has served as the Head Scout for the Topeka RoadRunners in the NAHL, the Aberdeen Wings in the NAHL, the Carleton Place Canadians in the CCHL, and the Twin City Thunder in the NCDC.

What Coach Lyke is most proud of is his ability to help his players move on to the next level and develop them as successful young men in life. To date, R.C. has helped over 700 players achieve their dreams of playing in the CHL, USHL, NAHL, CJHL, NCAA, CIS college hockey programs, and professional hockey ranks, including the NHL. Today, R.C. serves as the Head Coach and General Manager of the West Chester Wolves NCDC team. He also serves as the Hockey Director of the West Chester Wolves Hockey Program.

R.C. is married to his wife, Nicole, and they have a son, Liam, and a daughter, Raegan.