If you require proof that the UK’s Elite League has made giant strides regarding its reputation in world hockey then you should look no further than this appointment.

The Cardiff Devils were able to entice Jarrod Skalde to depart his American Hockey League post and announce him as their new head coach, replacing Andrew Lord, who took a similar position with ECHL outfit, Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

Before opting to coach, Skalde enjoyed a long playing career, though only suited up for 115 NHL games (recording 34 points) despite being drafted 26th overall by New Jersey Devils.

The Ontario native suited up for New Jersey, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Philadelphia Flyers but spent the majority of his North American career in the minors.

Amassing 284 IHL games in which he registered 285 points including 104 goals, Skalde would also win a championship in that league.
In eleven AHL season’s, the centreman recorded a further 474 points (178G-296A) in 575 games before retiring in 2008 after heading to Europe and Asia to continue his career.

The 49-year-old headed straight into coaching and took a head role with Bloomington Thunder of the IHL.
That was followed by three years in the ECHL as the Head Coach ODF Cincinnati Cyclones and Skalde was named the Coach of the year during his last campaign at the helm.

A step-up to the AHL followed with the Norfolk Admirals.
Firstly as an assistant with the 2013-14 team that utterly dominated, setting a winning streak in the process and coasting to a Calder Cup Championship before moving on to take the top role the following season.

In 2015, the Niagara Falls native would move into Canadian junior hockey, taking the reigns of the Guelph Storm (OHL) for two seasons and had a first taste of the international scene as an Assistant Coach with Canada U18 at the World Championships.

The NHL came calling in 2017 as the Pittsburgh Penguins hired him as a Development Coach.
The last two seasons, the Canadian native switched to a role as Assistant Coach with the Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins.

With the record WBS and the Pittsburgh, organisation have in developing and promoting their coaches to the NHL, the acquisition is something of a coup for the Welsh outfit.

Despite the new Head Coach’s pedigree, the Cardiff Devils more than did their homework and due diligence.
Several interviews were conducted, including video breakdowns and even calling a ‘non-hockey’ friend of Skalde, who was taken aback by the request of Cardiff’s managing Director Todd Kelman for the phone number.

With the Elite League season suspended and looking unlikely to start any time soon, Skalde will have an undetermined wait to take reigns at Cardiff in a role which also includes Director of Hockey Operations.