From the Cyclones Facebook page:
CINCINNATI, Ohio – The 2010 Kelly Cup Champion Cincinnati Cyclones, proud ECHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today that they have named 39-year-old Jarrod Skalde as the sixth Head Coach in franchise history.
The Niagara Falls, Ontario native comes to Cincinnati after spending two years behind the bench of the Bloomington Prairie Thunder (IHL). He has 19 years of service in professional hockey, 17 as a player. Selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, Skalde went on to log 115 games with eight different teams in the National Hockey League. In addition to the Devils, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers. He also played professionally in the IHL, AHL, Switzerland, Sweden and Japan during a career that spanned 1,071 games. In 1992-93, Skalde appeared in four games with the Cyclones – putting up three points (1 goal, 2 assists). He was the first player in Cyclones history to have been called up directly to the NHL.
“I’m very excited to be a part of the Cyclones organization,” said Skalde. “It’s great coming into a place that has had tremendous success with ownership and fans that expect excellence. I’m really looking forward to the challenge and building on that.”
A five-time team captain and seven-time assistant captain, Skalde was a member of championship teams in Oshawa (OHL, 1990) and Orlando (IHL, 2001). During his professional career, he scored 308 goals with 513 assists for 821 points. He was named the Utah Grizzles “Community Man of the Year” while playing there in 2004.
Skalde has learned the coaching craft from some of the best to ever stand behind the bench. He played for the legendary Herb Brooks, Stanley Cup Champion coach Ken Hitchcock, Jack Adams award-winner (NHL Coach of the Year) Bill Barber, and former Cincinnati Stingers great Robbie Ftorek.
“We’re very excited to bring Jarrod on board,” said Cyclones President Ray Harris. “His years of coaching and NHL playing experience will undoubtedly help him guide and improve our talent. I’m confident he will be able to carry on the championship tradition we’ve built here in Cincinnati.”
Skalde and his wife, Erin, have two children, 12-year-old daughter True and 7-year-old son Skate.
The defending Kelly Cup Champion Cyclones open their home schedule on Saturday, October 30 at U.S. Bank Arena against the Wheeling Nailers. Discounted ticket packages for the 2010-2011 season are available now. For more information, call 513.421.PUCK (7825) extension 3 or visit CyclonesHockey.com.
Skalde's playing and coaching statistics are available by downloading the PDF release here.
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