Bryn Chyzyk, son of Dave and Michelle Chyzyk was named the United States Hockey League General Manager of the Year. In his second year in that role, Chyzyk’s Waterloo (Iowa) Black Hawks were tied this past winter in the USHL for the most wins with 40. The junior squad improved its record by a dozen victories over the previous campaign.
“It was a great recognition and probably something that I will be able to appreciate more with time,” Chyzyk said of the award. “The most impactful part of the award is that it was voted on by the other general managers from around the league. Earning the respect from my peers and people that I have learned from and tried to emulate is the biggest honour.”
Chyzyk loves the opportunity to see the entire process of junior hockey.
“From the first time you get to see a 15-year-old play hockey, getting a chance to draft that player and then seeing them leave your program ready to attend an NCAA program,” Chyzyk said. “Seeing that process start to finish is fascinating to be a part of, and extremely rewarding.”
A key reason Chyzyk likely was honoured by his peers for last season was his shrewd wheeling and dealing. His trades included bringing in three NHL draft picks in the new year.
“We did make a number of big acquisitions throughout the past season,” Chyzyk said. “Each trade was unique and had different challenges in completing them. At the end of the day, I wanted to give our group the best chance at winning a Clark Cup and knew that I could rely on our scouting group to fill the assets given up in these trades.”
The Black Hawks made it to the second round of the playoffs. Chyzyk said the USHL draft process is crucial to the Black Hawks’ success as an organization.
“It really is the one point in the year when you can build a strong future core,” Chyzyk said. “The draft process can become overwhelming and never-ending and that's what I enjoy most. The grind of trying to get each pick right.”
In addition to his GM duties, Chyzyk coaches hockey at Breakaway Academy in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He lives in the Twin Cities’ suburb of Apple Valley.
The former Virden Minor Hockey and Virden Collegiate high school player suited up for four seasons at Grand Forks’ University of North Dakota. Chyzyk helped UND win the 2016 NCAA Division I national championship. He split the 2016-2017 season between the ECHL’s Indy Fuel and the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs before returning to UND to study law and serve as a graduate assistant coach.
Wherever he has been, Chyzyk has been proudly backed by his family and hometown.
“I am extremely grateful for my parental support and community support in growing up in Virden,” he said. “I always try to get back home a couple of times a year to see family and catch up with old friends. I wouldn't be where I am today without the support from everyone in my upbringing.”
