WEST POINT, N.Y. – After serving as an assistant hockey coach at Army West Point, Zach McKelvie has been elevated to Associate Head Coach, announced by head coach Brian Riley.
“Zach has been an incredible part of our program as a player and a coach,” said Riley. “He is very deserving of this title due to his loyalty and dedication to the team. I am privileged to have one of the best young coaches in college hockey on our staff. We are very fortunate to have him here at West Point. As well as overseeing the everyday duties of the program, his primary duties will continue to be working with our defensemen as well as overseeing our penalty killing unit.”
McKelvie returned to West Point in 2014 after winning the East Coast Hockey League title with the Alaska Aces that spring. He played in 42 games for the Aces, including the playoffs and had four points in the run to the Kelly Cup.
He began his pro career with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League in 2011 and played a total of 29 games before skating in seven contests at the end of the season with the Reading Royals of the ECHL. He spent most of his career with the AHLs Abbotsford Heat, which is part of the Calgary Flames system. He played 65 games with the Heat in over a season of action.
McKelvie was a two-time Atlantic Hockey Association First Team selection for the Black Knights on the blueline. He was the captain as a senior and an assistant captain as a junior. He finished his career with 56 points on 14 goals and 42 assists. McKelvie had back-to-back 17-point seasons in his final two years and was rewarded in 2008 as the league’s Defenseman of the Year. One of his biggest goals came against Sacred Heart in 2008 when he netted the gamewinner in a 3-2 win to secure the regular season title for Army.
He was honored to be a member of the AHA 10th Anniversary Team, which was announced in 2013. He joined Owen Meyer as the two former cadet-athletes to be on the list. In 2009, McKelvie was the recipient of the Henry “Hal” Beukema Award, which is given to the team’s most valuable player.
In addition to his on-ice awards, he was rewarded for his character. McKelvie earned the Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sport Award in 2009. The award recognizes West Point athletes and coaches on their outstanding commitment to the development of noble character through athletic participation and leadership. He continued his work off the ice while with the Heat and was named the team’s 2012-13 Community Man of the Year.
McKelvie spent his first of his two years of service as a graduate assistant at West Point, before being stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., as an executive officer to train soldiers in basic training. He was granted his release in the fall of 2011 to pursue his career in hockey.
