Army West Point Athletics
Hockey Adds Jared Bussard as Assistant Coach Ahead of 2026-27 Season
September 17, 2026 | Hockey
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Army West Point head hockey coach Zach McKelvie has announced the addition of Jared Bussard as an assistant coach prior to the start of the 2026-27 season.Â
Bussard arrives at West Point following his role with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL), where he managed the power play and helped elevate the team's offensive production to 3.79 goals per game, a 32 percent increase from the previous season and the third-highest mark in franchise history. He also contributed to the development of Hawke Huff, a Defenseman of the Year finalist, while supporting all aspects of team operations including scouting, recruiting, practice planning, video analysis, bench management and skill development.
Before Cedar Rapids, Bussard served as an assistant coach and skills coach with the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL). He directed a power-play unit that finished at 22.3 percent, the second-best percentage in program history since the 2005–06 NHL rules change, and played a key role in daily practice planning, video review, bench management and individual skill instruction.
Bussard also spent the 2023–24 season as a development coach with the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL), helping increase team scoring to 4.37 goals per game, a 31.6 percent jump from 2022–23 and the second-highest total since the club returned to the league in 2010. His responsibilities included creating individualized development plans, leading targeted skill sessions and conducting player-specific video work.
At the collegiate level, Bussard spent two seasons at Trine University (NCAA Division III) as an assistant coach, recruiting coordinator, skills coach and video coach. He oversaw a penalty-kill unit that operated at 93.52 percent in 2022–23 and helped guide the Thunder to offensive outputs of 4.07 and 3.61 goals per game, the first- and third-best seasons in program history. He led recruiting operations, opponent pre-scouting, defensive bench management, daily film sessions and skill development programming.
His earlier experience includes scouting for the Lone Star Brahmas (NAHL), player development work with Total Package Hockey–Colorado, and coaching and scouting roles with the Richmond Generals (USPHL Premier & Elite), where he directed penalty-kill units, led recruiting efforts and executed team video sessions and pre-scouts.
Bussard earned both his MBA and Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management from Lindenwood University, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA at both levels. A four-time letterwinner, he was an ACHA/NAIA Academic All-American from 2015–18.
An Elite Athlete Mental Performance Coach and Personality Insights Accredited Trainer, Bussard has coached 17Â NHL Draft picks, 17Â players who have reached the professional ranks, and more than 70 players who are playing at or committed to NCAA Division I programs. He has also been selected to coach at multiple USA Hockey National and District Festivals, including the 2025 and 2026 Under-15 National Festivals, the 2023 Under-17 National Festival, and the 2023, 2024 and 2026 USA Hockey Southeast District U14 Festivals.
The Black Knights open the 2026-27 campaign at Tate Arena against Union on Oct. 3. Fans can purchase tickets [HERE].
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Follow Army Hockey on X @ArmyWP_Hockey and on Instagram @armywp_hockey Fans can also like Army West Point Athletics on Facebook and learn more about hockey and other programs at goarmywestpoint.com
Army West Point Athletic Association, Inc. (AWPAA)
AWPAA is an IRS code 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established to execute the United States Military Academy's intercollegiate athletics program. AWPAA is led by a board of directors that provides guidance to the director of athletics, who serves as the primary advisor to the USMA Superintendent and the USMA leadership on all NCAA operations. The AWPAA mission is to recruit, educate, train and inspire leaders of character who are committed to the Army values through an extraordinary Division I athletic experience. Â
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