Alaska-Anchorage assistant coach Ryan McKelvie has been named the head coach at Lake Forest.
He replaces Seamus Gregory, who was the interim head coach in 2010-11 after the retirement of longtime coach Tony Fritz.
McKelvie, a former Minnesota State player, was the associate head coach of the Wenatchee Wild of the NAHL from 2008 to 2010.
He joined Alaska-Anchorage last season and served as recruting coordinator and academic advisor.
“This was certainly one of the strongest head coaching candidate pools in my 20 years as athletic director and Coach McKelvie received broad support from all constituencies on campus,” Lake Forest athletic director Jackie Slaats said in a statement.
“I have high expectations for our hockey program and am confident that Ryan has what it takes to lead us to unprecedented levels of success, both on and off the ice. He has been extremely successful as a player and as a coach and we are fortunate to have him as the leader of our program.”
McKelvie played for Minnesota State from 2002 to 2006 and was the first three-year captain in program history. He later was a graduate assistant at Bemidji State from 2006 to 2008.
“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to lead the Lake Forest College men’s hockey program,” McKelvie said in a statement. “It was clear throughout the interview process and during my visit to campus that my coaching goals align with those of the College. Recent enhancements to the rink and other athetic facilities at the College also strengthen my belief that Forester Hockey has the potential to be very successful.”
