Bulldogs' All-Time Leading Scorer Shawn Skelly Rejoins Program as Adam Krug's Top Assistant Coach
ADRIAN, Mich.--Shawn Skelly '11, the all-time leading scorer in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association history and one of the most prolific point producers in NCAA Division III history, has been named an assistant coach for the Adrian College men's program. That announcement was made Thursday by Bulldogs head coach Adam Krug '12.
Last season, Skelly returned to his alma mater as a women's hockey assistant coach on Chad Davis' staff and helped Adrian to its first appearance in the NCAA national title game and a sweep of NCHA regular-season and tournament championships en route to a record-breaking 28-3 campaign.
Skelly will work with the Adrian defensemen and assist Krug in all facets of the men's program to include recruiting, on-ice coaching, systems play, practice preparation and game planning.
"I'm honored to become the newest assistant coach of Adrian College and am very excited to get the season started," said Skelly, who will continue to assist Coach Davis until his replacement arrives on campus while transitioning to the men's program. "I would like to thank President Jeffery Docking, Athletic Director Mike Duffy, and especially Coach Krug for giving me this tremendous opportunity."
Krug said: "I'm thrilled to add Shawn to our staff. Shawn's wealth of knowledge and great experience from six years of professional hockey will be a great asset for our student-athletes. His hard work for our women's program has really shown over the past year and I think that experience will come in handy within our program.
"I'd like to thank our women's head coach, Chad Davis, for his willingness to let Shawn move over to the men's game," he added.
With Skelly onboard as Krug's top assistant, it reunites a pair of former teammates who hope to be just as formidable to opponents working together in the coaching profession as they were skating through defenses during their playing days.
"As an alumni of the hockey program, I couldn't be more proud to help lead this year's team and work hard recruiting new student-athletes for our program's future," said Skelly, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration. "Having the opportunity to work alongside a former linemate during our career at Adrian College is very exciting and I can't wait to see what kind of success we can have together as a partnership.
Prior to coming to Adrian for the 2016-17 season, Skelly played professional hockey for five teams--Mississippi Surge, Toledo Walleye, Wheeling Nailers, Alaska Aces and Macon Mayhem--from 2011 to 2016.
Skelly was a member of the inaugural Adrian College men's hockey team in 2007-08, finishing his four-year career as the all-time leader in points (230), goals (102), game-winning goals (20), power-play goals (47), assists (128) and shots on goal (593). He ranks 29th in Division III history in point-scoring.
Skelly, of Wolverine Lake, was a four-time all-conference standout who was named the 2009 Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Year as a sophomore, culminating with American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-America accolades during his 2011 senior season.
"Being able to hire an alum and a former teammate of mine is exciting for me. It really shows how self-sustained Adrian College hockey has become," Krug said. "I know his passion for Adrian College and our hockey program is second to none. Shawn and I had great chemistry on the ice as players and I think that should translate as coaches."
For Skelly, he's relishing the opportunity to having a positive impact on the Bulldog Brotherhood.
"I look forward to giving our student-athletes any and all knowledge I have learned over my college and pro career. I want them to become better hockey players throughout their college careers, but most of all get them ready for the real world and have great character.
"Being an Adrian College hockey player is an honor and with us now moving past our 10th season anniversary our players understand our continued traditions that have been imprinted into the program."
Skelly began his new duties on the men's side earlier this week. He replaces Chase Fuchs who stepped down after two seasons in June to become the director of scouting and serve as an assistant coach at the Bloomington (Ill.) Thunder of the United States Hockey League.
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