Glasgow Clan have appointed Jack Skille as their new Head Coach, giving the club a former NHL forward with playing and coaching experience across North America and Europe.
Skille was selected seventh overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and went on to make over 350 NHL appearances across five teams. He also represented the United States at the 2011 IIHF World Championship, adding international experience to a résumé that spans the NHL, AHL, ECHL, KHL, DEL and Swiss National League.
What Skille brings to Glasgow
Before moving to Glasgow, Skille served as Assistant Coach with Schwenninger Wild Wings. In the 2025/26 season, he worked for the Utah Grizzlies as Assistant Coach and Director of Player Development, adding more experience in coaching and player growth to his background.
His route into coaching began in Utah, where he started with Park City High School in the 2020/21 season before taking the Head Coach role with the Park City Ice Miners 16U AA programme after that season.
That blend of recent coaching work and a long playing career is part of what makes him an interesting fit for Glasgow Clan. The club said the appointment came after a comprehensive global search led by its Director of Hockey Operations and supported by a panel of leaders within the sports industry.
Reaction from the club and Skille
Russ Smith said the club was delighted to welcome Skille as Head Coach and described the move as the beginning of an exciting new era. He added that Glasgow Clan has a clear strategy to build a team that competes, plays with intensity and purpose, and delivers a brand of hockey that excites the Purple Army.
Zach Vinnell said what stood out most was Skille’s passion for coaching and helping players reach their potential. He also pointed to Skille’s experience at the highest level and his understanding of today’s game.
Skille said he was honoured to join the Glasgow Clan family and excited for the new chapter ahead with his wife. He added that the culture and overall vision of the club aligned with his own throughout the interview process.
For Glasgow Clan, the appointment gives the club a Head Coach with broad experience, a recent development role and a background that stretches from North America to Europe. That mix should give the team a clear identity as it moves into its next phase.
