WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point hockey head coach Brian Riley has announced the hiring of new assistant coach Chris McKelvie.
McKelvie is the identical twin brother of current assistant coach Zach McKelvie, who has been on Riley’s staff for two seasons and is a 2009 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy.
“We are extremely excited to add Chris McKelvie to our coaching staff at West Point,” Riley said. “McKelvie’s experience as a Frozen Four participant while playing for Bemidji State as well as being a member of the New Jersey Devils Organization for the last seven years enables him to bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to not only our players but our staff as well.
McKelvie comes to West Point after seven seasons in the American Hockey League with two different teams. The right-winger started his career with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2010 and just finished his professional career with the Albany Devils, where he was an alternate captain for the last three seasons. He played in two Calder Cup Playoffs and was part of Devils team that forced a game seven in their division series with the Toronto Marlies this year.
In all, McKelvie appeared in 272 career AHL games with 22 goals and 39 assists for 61 points. He recorded a career-high 21 points with nine goals and 12 assists in 2013-14 for the Devils.
Prior to his professional career, McKelvie skated in 120 collegiate games at Bemidji State, leading the Beavers to their run to the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four as a team captain. He scored 18 goals and added 15 assists in those 120 games.
The New Brighton, Minn., native graduated from Bemidji State in 2009 with a degree in Sport Management. He played three years for the Bozeman IceDogs in the North American Hockey League, along with Zach. Older brother, Ryan McKelvie, skated for Minnesota State from 2002-06. McKelvie helped Bozeman to a 48-9-1 record and a regular season championship in 2006. The team had a 22-game unbeaten streak and won its division by 27 points.
