Coach Nygard grew up in the hockey community of Marquette, MI.  Starting hockey at the age of 4 Coach Nygard played travel hockey throughout his youth career appearing in numerous state championships winning one along the way.  Coach Nygard played two years for the Marquette Redmen in High School being namedcaptain his senior year and winning the Class A State Championshipwhile being honored with many individual awards.  Post high school Nygard was drafted by Billings, MT of the Frontier League however, played 2 seasons for the Soo Indians in the NAHL from 1995-1997.  Nygard rounded out his competitive career as a walk on for a short time with Northern Michigan University.

While in college, Nygard started his coaching career as an Assistant Coach for 2 seasons for the Marquette Redmen High School program.  Now entering his 14th season as a coach in youth hockey, Nygard has coached many of the top players in the region over the years.  Nygard has coached with the Waukesha Youth program for 12 years highlighted by a Bantam A state runner-up finish and morerecently captured the Squirt B state title during the 2022 season.  Last season Nygard was an Assistant Coach on the 2012 MJA staff.  Nygard has also been active with many spring and summer teams as well as the Wisconsin Elite Hockey League (WEHL).

Coach Nygard holds a Finance degree from Northern Michigan University and an MBA from Marquette University.  Coach Nygard resides in the area with his wife, Sarah and 3 boys.