Former Black Knight McKelvie Signs One-Year Deal with Bruins

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Former Army hockey player Zach McKelvie (USMA ’09) signed a one-year contract with the Boston Bruins, General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced on Monday.

McKelvie, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman, is the first West Point graduate to sign a contact with a National Hockey League team.
Dan Hinote, who attended the U.S. Military Academy for two seasons, has enjoyed a career with the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues among other teams.

The Bruins added to their depth with the signing of McKelvie and three other players. In addition to McKelvie, Boston also agreed to one-year contracts with defenseman Rob Kwiet, Drew Larman and Trent Whitfield. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

McKelvie, who is serving as an Athletic Intern, used his leave to attend Bruins Development Camp before signing his contract.

“We are certainly very excited for Zach,” said Army hockey head coach Brian Riley. “He has worked extremely hard for this opportunity. West Point has done so much to enhance Zach’s leadership abilities and problem-solving skills and we are confident Zach will continue to be a great representative not only for Army hockey but for the Army as well.”

A four-year starter at Army, McKelvie skated in 136 games and concluded his career by winning the prestigious Army Athletic Association trophy, an honor bestowed to the male and female cadet who displays the “most valuable service to intercollegiate athletics during a career as a cadet.

“Zach has the opportunity to pursue two dreams,” said Riley. “Serving his country and playing professional hockey. Zach is one of the hardest workers on and off the ice that I have ever been around and I am hopeful he can showcase those skills.”

A left-handed shooter, McKelvie scored 58 career points with 14 goals and 44 assists. The only player in school history to be a two-time Atlantic Hockey Association First-Team All-Star, the New Brighton, Minnesota, native was named the AHA’s Defenseman of the Year in 2007-08.

A three-time Atlantic Hockey Association Academic All-Star choice, McKelvie played in at least 32 games all four seasons and won the initial Coach K Teaching Character Through Sport Award.

The Brigade Athletics Officer for his final year at West Point, McKelvie was among the leadership in the Corps of Cadets and oversaw intramural and club sports in his role.

Following his service as an athletic intern, McKelvie will join the Infantry branch of the United States Army, following his service as an athletic intern in the fall.

McKelvie earned a selection to the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge, just the third Army player to be chosen, and won the fastest skater competition at the event at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
McKelvie will be eligible to apply for the Alternate Service Option after serving two years of active service. Additionally, he can also be a candidate for the World Class Athlete Program.