Zach McKelvie

Last updated

Zach McKelvie
Current position
Title Head coach
Team Army
Conference AHA
Biographical details
Born (1985-02-22) February 22, 1985 (age 40)
New Brighton, Minnesota, U.S.
Playing career
2005–2009 Army
2011–2012 Providence Bruins
2011–2012 Reading Royals
2012–2014 Abbotsford Heat
2013–2014 Alaska Aces
Position(s) Defense
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2014–2016 Army (asst.)
2016–2025Army (asoc.)
2025–presentArmy

Zach McKelvie (born February 22, 1985) is an American former ice hockey player, and current head coach of the Army Black Knights men's ice hockey team.

Contents

Playing career

McKelvie played college ice hockey at Army from 2005 to 2009. During the 2007–08 season, in his junior year, he served as an assistant captain and recorded four goals and 13 assists in 35 games. Following the season he was named the Atlantic Hockey Best Defenseman, and named to the All-Atlantic Hockey First Team. During the 2008–09 season, in his senior year, he served as captain and recorded five goals and 12 assists in 33 games. Following the season he was named to the All-Atlantic Hockey First Team for the second consecutive year, becoming the only player in program history to earn All-Atlantic Hockey First Team honors on multiple occasions. In 2023, in honor of its 20th anniversary, the conference selected the top 20 players from its history, and he was inducted into the Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor. [1]

Following his collegiate career, he joined the Providence Bruins during the 2011–2012 season, where he recorded one goal and one assist in 39 games. He then joined the Reading Royals of the ECHL for the remainder of the 2011–2012 season, and recorded one goal in seven games. He then spent two seasons with the Abbotsford Heat and recorded three assists in 65 games. During the 2013–2014 season, he recorded three goals and one assist in 22 games, and helped lead the Alaska Aces to the Kelly Cup. [2] [3]

Coaching career

McKelvie began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his Alma Mater Army. [2] On July 27, 2016, he was promoted to associate head coach. [4] On August 21, 2024, longtime head coach Brian Riley announced he would retire following the 2024–25 season. McKelvie was named head coach in waiting, bringing a 75-year run of Riley's behind the Black Knights' bench to a close. [5] [6]

Personal life

McKelvie's twin brother, Chris, is a former professional ice hockey player. [7]

Head coaching record

College

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Army Black Knights(AHA)(2025–present)
2025–26 Army
Army:
Total:

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

  1. "Zach McKelvie Inducted into Atlantic Hockey Hall of Fame". goarmywestpoint.com. October 11, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Zach McKelvie". goarmywestpoint.com. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  3. "A natural-born leader, Kelly Cup champion McKelvie finds niche at West Point". echl.com. November 12, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  4. Schultz, Randy (July 27, 2016). "McKelvie Elevated To Associate Head Coach". nyhockeyonline.com. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  5. "Army's Riley the Latest to Announce Retirement". collegehockeynews.com. August 21, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  6. McMillan, Ken (August 21, 2024). "Brian Riley to coach one final season with Army hockey, passes reins to Zach McKelvie". Times Herald-Record . Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  7. "Army West Point to have twins on bench after Chris McKelvie named new assistant coach". USCHO.com. May 25, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2025.