Islanders Hockey Club’s Tim Kyrkostas Reaches 400-Win Milestone

The Islanders Hockey Club have long been one of the most consistent programs in the National Collegiate Development Conference, and Head Coach and General Manager Tim Kyrkostas recently reached a milestone that reflects that sustained success: his 400th career win behind the bench.

For Kyrkostas, the moment wasn’t something he had been tracking closely. In fact, the milestone caught him by surprise.

“Reaching my 400th win genuinely took me by surprise,” Kyrkostas said. “A few weeks ago, one of the players asked how many junior wins I had, and I realized I couldn’t answer him. This led me to look up my record, and I was overwhelmed with emotions. It brings a sense of nostalgia, but in a positive way.”

The milestone also gave Kyrkostas a chance to reflect on the personal support that has been part of his journey.

“I would be remiss not to mention my amazing wife, Emily, who has been by my side throughout this journey,” he added. “Her support in celebrating the victories and uplifting me during the tough times has been invaluable. She, too, deserves credit for this achievement.”

Over the years, Kyrkostas has coached and developed hundreds of players through the Islanders program, many of whom have advanced to NCAA Division I and Division III hockey, as well as professional opportunities. Seeing those players succeed continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

“I feel incredibly blessed to have coached so many talented players over the years,” he said. “Many of them have progressed to play NCAA Division I and III hockey, and even in the professional ranks. In our players’ lounge, we created a wall of fame filled with alumni who played for IHC and went on to play at the collegiate level. Seeing this impressive display each day when I walk into the facility serves as a wonderful reminder of their hard work and the impact they’ve had in shaping our club into what it is today.”

Kyrkostas credits much of the organization’s long-term success to the foundation built before his tenure. The Islanders’ culture was originally established by former owner and head coach Richard Gallant alongside Sean Trombly, who created a program built around high standards and a commitment to developing players both on and off the ice.

“The key to the Islanders Hockey Club’s enduring success lies in the club’s first exceptional owner/head coach combo of Richard Gallant and Sean Trombly,” Kyrkostas explained. “Together, they established a culture of high standards and a commitment to doing things the right way, from developing our facility to genuinely caring for the players and winning championships.”

Stepping into that culture was a challenge at first, but Kyrkostas says the people around him have made the difference.

“I was fortunate to surround myself with an incredible coaching staff,” he said, pointing to assistants Tim Lyons, Tim Pelletier, Dana Janis, Alvin Dow, Mike Ludwar, Jay Punsky, Kevin Smith and Ryan George, along with trainer Mara Smith and billet coordinator Emily Smith. He also credited rink staff Tim and Kevin Madden and Donna Conley for their work behind the scenes.

Kyrkostas also acknowledged the support of the organization’s current ownership.

“I’m also grateful for the support of the current owners, the Ford Family, who allow me to run the program in a way that aligns with our vision,” he said. “We pride ourselves on player and team development, focusing on building a cohesive ‘family’ culture where players feel valued and are motivated to excel.”

During Kyrkostas’ tenure, the NCDC itself has grown dramatically, expanding from 12 teams when he began coaching to 33 teams today. The league continues to evolve as a pathway to college hockey.

“Since I began coaching in the NCDC, I have witnessed the league evolve significantly,” he said. “The league has done an excellent job of providing players with a platform to develop their skills and pursue opportunities in collegiate hockey.”

He also pointed to new initiatives aimed at continuing that growth.

“We are constantly striving for improvement; a prime example of this is the recent introduction of the NIL performance package,” Kyrkostas said. “It will be intriguing to see how this initiative impacts the league and its players this year and in the future.”

Despite the milestone, Kyrkostas says his motivation remains the same as when he first stepped behind the bench.

“I am deeply passionate about coaching and truly enjoy the journey of each season,” he said. “Every morning, I wake up excited to go to the rink and work with young men who aspire to experience what I was fortunate enough to enjoy during my own junior hockey days. It’s not just about winning; it’s about helping these players earn opportunities to advance to the collegiate ranks.”

Kyrkostas also draws inspiration from fellow coaches around the league, including Toby Harris and Jim Hunt, two veterans he greatly respects.

“They remind me of the high standards I continue to strive for,” Kyrkostas said. “They are two outstanding coaches whom I look up to, and I recognize that I still have a long way to go in trying to reach their win totals.”

For Kyrkostas and the Islanders Hockey Club, the 400-win milestone is both a celebration of the past and a reminder that the program’s focus remains firmly on the future—developing players, building a strong culture, and continuing to compete at the highest level in the NCDC.