Norfolk names Skalde head coach

The Norfolk Admirals announced today that the club has named assistant coach Jarrod Skalde the team’s next head coach.

Skalde shared the bench in 2013-14 with former Admirals head coach Trent Yawney and takes the helm after Yawney’s departure for an assistant spot with parent club Anaheim.
 
Skalde, 43, has five seasons of head coaching experience, two in the International Hockey League with Bloomington and three with Cincinnati of the ECHL. His most successful stretch came two years ago when Skalde took Cincinnati to the semifinals of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs on a 42-22-5-3 mark in the 2012-13 regular season. For his efforts and the Cyclones’ postseason accomplishments, he earned the league’s 2012-13 Coach of the Year honor.
 
The Niagara Falls, Ont., native had an 18-year professional playing career that spanned seven leagues and six countries. New Jersey selected Skalde in the second round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.

Skalde played 575 games for nine AHL teams during his career. He recorded 178 goals and 296 assists for 474 points skating for the Utica Devils, Baltimore Bandits, Saint John Flames, Kentucky Thoroughblades, Chicago Wolves, Philadelphia Phantoms, Utah Grizzlies, Springfield Falcons and San Antonio Rampage.
 
Skalde also skated in 115 NHL games with New Jersey, Anaheim, Calgary, Chicago, Dallas, San Jose, Atlanta and Philadelphia, notching 13 goals and 21 assists.

Marty Wilford, who worked alongside Skalde and under Yawney last season, will remain with the Admirals as assistant coach. Wilford enters his fourth season as an assistant in Norfolk.