PrairieThunder Head Coach Jarrod Skalde Submits Resignation
Bloomington Head Coach to pursue other coaching opportunities
 
The Bloomington PrairieThunder of the Central Hockey League today announced that Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations, Jarrod Skalde, has resigned his position to pursue other coaching opportunities.
 
The thirty-nine year old native of Niagara Falls, who played parts of nine seasons with eight teams in the National Hockey League, coached two seasons in Bloomington compiling an overall record of 60 wins-74 losses-7 overtime losses and 11 shootout losses with back to back fifth place finishes in the International Hockey League. The team’s 2009-10 record of 31-34-5-6 was the franchise’s best record in its four year history in Bloomington.
 
“I wish to thank Tim Leighton and the entire PrairieThunder ownership group, staff, fans, and team sponsors for my time in Bloomington,” Jarrod Skalde said. “I will always be grateful for the opportunity that was given to me here to start my pro coaching career. While I’ve chosen to pursue other coaching opportunities, I will help with the transition to a new coach and assist that person in building what we all hope will be a winner here in Bloomington. I will watch with great interest and wish the PrairieThunder organization nothing but the best as the team begins play in the Central Hockey League.”
 
“After 17 years as a professional hockey player and two years as a coach, Jarrod Skalde has told us he thinks the time is right for him to pursue growth opportunities, and we wish him success,” said Team President Tim Leighton.

“When we signed him to his third season, we were excited that Jarrod was going to continue building on the groundwork he had laid in his first two years.  His contacts throughout professional hockey helped the team with recruiting and call-ups.  We expect hockey fans will hear and see more from him in the future.  And PrairieThunder has a bright future as well.  Our new coach will be responsible for improving the team’s competitiveness on the ice to give our fans even better hockey. PrairieThunder is now in a new league.  We have a new General Manager.  And soon we will have a new Coach.  These are all part of building toward the best season ever.”
 
PrairieThunder General Manager Jim Riggs has already begun a nation-wide search and anticipates interviewing a number of candidates for the position.