Former Ferris State Hockey & Big Rapids Standout Cody Chupp Tabbed As Green Bay Gamblers' Assistant Coach

Big Rapids, Mich. - Former Ferris State University men's ice hockey standout and Big Rapids native Cody Chupp has been tabbed as an assistant coach for the United States Hockey League's (USHL) Green Bay Gamblers.

Chupp, who spent the 2013-14 campaign as an assistant coach at Utica College, will become the latest in a line of former coaches and players with the Bulldog program to have ties to the Gamblers' franchise. Former Ferris State skaters Scott Czarnowczan and Corey Couturier, among others, played for Green Bay prior to their collegiate careers. Meanwhile, Derek Lalonde, who served as a FSU assistant coach, most recently was the Gamblers' head coach and general manager prior to accepting a position in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) this offseason with the Toledo Walleye.

"This is a great opportunity for Cody to continue his coaching career," said FSU head coach Bob Daniels. "We're thrilled he's advancing his career and believe he has a bright future ahead of him. It's a great place and a good fit for him."

Chupp will replace former Gamblers' assistant Adam Krug, who accepted the head coaching position at Division III Adrian College. 

"Cody's two-year playing stint in the USHL along with his collegiate and professional career makes him a valuable asset on our bench," "said head coach and general manager Pat Mikesch. "He fits in with our vision of creating an elite program with a reputation of winning."

Chupp joins the Gamblers after serving as the assistant coach at Utica College this past season where his duties included scouting, recruiting, practice/game preparation and day-to-day operations in the office.

As a professional player, Chupp spent time in the American Hockey League with the Texas Stars (affiliate of the NHL's Dallas Stars). With the Stars, the former Bulldog played in 67 games while tallying five goals and 10 assists.  Chupp finished in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins) where he played in 15 games and had five points.

Finally, he wrapped up his professional career in the ECHL where he played 63 games over the course of two seasons for the Wheeling Nailers.  In his first season with the Nailers, he finished sixth on the team with 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists).

While at Ferris State, Chupp was one of only two players in school history to receive the distinction of being named a two-year captain and was on the Hobey Baker Watch List in 2007-08 as one of the top players in the country. He was named the program's rookie of the year in the 2006-07 season and later received the team's Lloyd Earl Award as the Bulldog's leading scorer (2007-08). In 144 games at Ferris State, he totaled 95 points (35 goals, 60 assists).

Off the ice, Chupp consistently exhibited the positive traits that earned him captain distinction.  He was the first-ever Ferris State Student-Athlete to attend the National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Conference in Orlando, Florida (2007) and he also was the inaugural winner of the Ferris State men's ice hockey team Community Service Award (2007-08).  He was a nominee for the AHCA 2009 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award, a 2009-10 NCAA Division I Lowes Senior CLASS Award top 10 Finalist, and was the team ambassador and leader of the "Reading is Fun" project. Chupp was also a consummate professional in the classroom, earning the Dean's Academic Award twice.

Chupp previously played in the USHL with the Waterloo Blackhawks and the Tri-City Storm after being a three-time all-state selection at Big Rapids High School. He also has given his time and efforts as a Summer Hockey Camp Instructor at Ferris State.

Chupp officially begin his duties with the Gamblers' immediately.