Born in Berlin, Ontario (now Kitchener), Selke was managing the Iroquois Bantams in his hometown at the age of 14. He coached the Berlin Union Jacks junior team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1912–1915, reaching the finals of the league championship in his final season. In 1919, he coached the University of Toronto Schools hockey team to the first Memorial Cup title. Rejoining the Marlboros in 1928–29, Selke helped lead the team to the 1929 championship.