Undrafted, 2nd year defenseman Zach McKelvie(24) took one of the more unlikely paths to turning pro.
After his college career finished, he went into a couple of years of military duty. He tried to defer it as he was signed an entry level deal with Boston Bruins but was told otherwise, although was still able to maintain a contract for the time he was away.
Upon finishing up his responsibilities with the army, he inked a one-year, two-way deal that would finally start his rookie season at age 26.
The 6’2″ 200 lbs. blue liner played in 39 games with their AHL affiliate Providence Bruins scoring a goal and an assist, while going a rough -11 plus/minus. He also appeared in 7 games regular season and 5 postseason games towards the end of his debut campaign in the ECHL with Reading Royals.
For 2012/2013, the Minnesota native jumps up to Canada, where he has signed a one-year standard AHL contract to continue with Abbotsford Heat. Good story all around.
