Langley Ice Hockey Team Recognized By Supervisors For Championship

MCLEAN, VA — On Tuesday, the Langley High School ice hockey team got recognition from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for its Northern Virginia School Hockey League championship.

This was the second championship for the Langley team in the past four years. The championship was achieved with a 2-1 win over Briar Woods in February. The team also won the 2019 championship in 2019 with a win over Briar Woods. A few members of the team won the championship twice.

Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust presented a resolution with Chairman Jeff McKay to honor the team. In the resolution, Foust acknowledged the team overcame a 0-1 deficit to win the championship game. On a similar note, McKay noted the team started the season with an 0-2-1 record. The team went on to have a 10-3-1 record in the 2021-2022 season and eight straight wins before the championship, Inside Nova previously reported. The team scored 45 goals during the season and allowed 22 goals against.

"Championships are awesome. You're gonna be proud of that accomplishment for the rest of your lives, I guarantee you," said Foust. "You deserve that because it doesn't come easy, and we know that."

In remarks to the board, Coach Patrick Keough praised the leadership of Mike Kuligowski, the team's captain, a forward, and all-state team member.

"You know, I didn't play in any of those games. Coaches coach, players play," said Keough. "Players are what bring home championships. "It's not really about the coach. My job is to try and build champions."

Along with congratulating the team, supervisors praised Keough for his approach to coaching.

"You don't cut people who are from your program, you make sure that everybody gets a chance as a senior to play in a varsity game," said Foust. "And you've coached a team that was least penalized."

"The way you clearly find a role for everybody to fit in on the team really epitomizes what we'd like to see in youth coaches," added Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity.

McKay gave praise to parents of the team members as well.

"I know what a commitment it takes for the parents to support the team, to support you, to make sure you're at the practices and ready to go and cared for," said McKay. "So it really is a family affair, a team effort."