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Chris McKelvie

Chris McKelvie

  • Title
    Head Men's Hockey Coach // Assistant Athletic Director
  • Email
    c-mckelvie@bethel.edu
  • Phone
    (651) 638-6471
COACHING RESUME
2018 - present (Bethel University)
Head Men's Hockey Coach
2016 - 2018 (Army West Point)
Assistant Hockey Coach
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Albany Devils - AHL, 2012-16
Connecticut Whale - AHL, 2011-12
Hartford Wolf Pack - AHL 2009-11
Bemidji State University - NCAA, 2006-10
Bozeman IceDogs - NAHL, 2003-06
EDUCATION
Bemidji State University, 2009
B.A. - Sport Management
HOMETOWN
New Brighton, Minn

Chris McKelvie enters his eighth season at the helm of the Bethel men's hockey program after being hired in April of 2018. Previously McKelvie served for two seasons at NCAA DI Army West Point as an assistant coach after a seven year professional playing career.

McKelvie was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director in August of 2024, providing oversight of the athletic communication department, marketing and video streaming. He also oversees personnel assigned to the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee (ADID). 

AT BETHEL
• Became the ninth head coach in the 40 year history of the program
• Tied single-season record 18 wins in 2023-24
• Single-season record .722 winning percentage in 2023-24
• 2023-24 MIAC Coach of the Year
• Reached 2024 MIAC Playoff Championship Game for second time in program history, first appearance sine 2007. 
• In 2019-20, best MIAC winning percentage (.500) since the 2009-10 season
• In 2019-20, best overall winning percentage (.360) since 2011-12.
• .574 winning percentage in 2021-22 was best mark since 2007-08.
• Tied single-season record for shutouts with three in 2021-22.
• Led Bethel to MIAC Playoffs in 2021-22 as the five seed defeating fourth-seeded St. Scholastica in overtime and landing Bethel in the semifinals for the first time since 2007.
• Back-to-back MIAC playoff apperances in 2024 & 2025, first time sicne 2006 & 2007. 

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
• Two CCM/ACHA Second Team All-Americans
    • Tyler Kostelecky (2023-24), Bethel's first All-American selection since 2001.
    • Tyler Braccini (2024-25), firs time since 2000 & 2001 that BU had back-to-back All-American selections. 
• Two MIAC Offensive Player of the Year honorees
    • Tyler Kostelecky (2023-24)
    • Tyler Braccini (2024-25)
• Four All-MIAC selections
• Goaltender Ridge Gerads ranked 14th in the nation and second in the MIAC with a .934 save percentage in nine contests during 2018-19.
• Netminder Joe Sheppard tallied a season-record .922 save percentage in 12 games

ARMY WEST POINT
• Assistant coach at Army West Point for two seasons in 2016-17 and 2017-18
• The Black Knights finished 35-29-11 during his tenure with a sweep over No. 19-ranked Air Force (who participated in the 2018 Frozen Four) and a win over No. 13 New Hampshire during the 2017-18 campaign
• Coached with fellow assistant coach and twin brother Zach McKelvie, a 2009 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy

PROFESSIONAL PLAYING CAREER
• Played seven seasons in the American Hockey League with three different teams
• The right-winger started his career with the Hartford Wolf Pack from 2010-2011
• Played the 2012-13 season with the Connecticut Whale
• Played four seasons with the Albany Devils where he was named an alternate captain for the last three seasons
• 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
• Recorded a career-high 21 points with nine goals and 12 assists in 2013-14 for the Devils
• Appeared in 272 career AHL games with 22 goals and 39 assists for 61 points

COLLEGE/JUNIOR HOCKEY PLAYING CAREER
• Two-year captain at Bemidji State University 
• Helped lead the Beavers to the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four
• Skated in 120 collegiate games at BSU, scoring 18 goals and adding 15 assists
• Played three seasons with the Bozeman IceDogs of the NAHL along with brother Zach
• Helped Bozeman to a 48-9-1 record and a regular season championship in 2006 where the team had a 22-game unbeaten streak and won its division by 27 points

PERSONAL LIFE
• Lives in Blaine with wife Courtney and two children, Max and Avery
Last updated 8/19/2025
 
Chris McKelvie Career Milestones
Milestone Date Matchup Result Notes
First career win November 30, 2018 Bethel vs Gustavus Adolphus W, 5-4 Recap | Box Score
First MIAC Playoff win February 26, 2022 Bethel at St. Scholastica W, 4-3 (OT) Recap | Box Score • MIAC Quarterfinals
 
Chris McKelvie Year-by-Year Head Coaching Records
Year School Wins Losses Ties WL% Postseason
2018-19 Bethel (MN) 4 19 2 .200
2019-20 Bethel (MN) 7 14 4 .360
2020-21 Bethel (MN) 2 6 0 .250 *no postseason due to COVID-19 pandemic*
2021-22 Bethel (MN) 15 11 1 .574 MIAC Semifinals
2022-23 Bethel (MN) 10 14 1 .420
2023-24 Bethel (MN) 18 6 3 .722 MIAC Playoff Runner-Up
2024-25 Bethel (MN) 13 10 3 .558 MIAC Semifinals
7 Season Career 60 80 14 .466