Kelly Zajac

Last updated

Kelly Zajac
Born (1988-06-06) June 6, 1988 (age 35)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 174 lb (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb)
Position Forward
Shot Left
Played for Albany Devils
Lukko
Manitoba Moose
Hershey Bears
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2012–2018

Kelly Zajac (born June 6, 1988) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played for the Union Dutchmen in the NCAA Men's Division I ECAC Hockey conference and in the American Hockey League for the Albany Devils, Manitoba Moose and Hershey Bears.

Contents

Playing career

After finishing his collegiate hockey career with Union College, Zajac signed as a free agent with the AHL's Albany Devils in 2011. In August 2015, Zajac left the Devils organization and signed a one-year contract with Finnish Liiga club, Lukko, which included an initial two month try-out. [1] Three months later, Zajac returned to the AHL after signing with the Manitoba Moose. [2] The Moose released Zajac on February 12, 2016 after which Zajac signed with the South Carolina Stingrays. [3]

Zajac originally opted to return to Europe for a second season in agreeing to a contract with Tingsryds AIF, however on May 22, 2016, Zajac decided to stay in North America after the conclusion of the 2015–16 season with the Stingrays. [4] He then signed a two-way contract with the Hershey Bears and Stingrays for the 2016–17 season. [5]

Personal life

Kelly is the younger brother of professional hockey players Travis and Darcy Zajac. Their youngest brother, Nolan, played with the NCAA Denver Pioneers. Their father, Tom, also played for the University of Denver. [6]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2006–07 Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL 5911203120110004
2007–08Salmon Arm SilverbacksBCHL60214162281138114
2008–09 Union College ECAC 396142029—————
2009–10 Union CollegeECAC3910142410—————
2010–11 Union CollegeECAC4013294216—————
2011–12 Union CollegeECAC418344210—————
2011–12 Albany Devils AHL 30000—————
2012–13 Albany DevilsAHL142240—————
2012–13 Trenton Devils ECHL 15610168—————
2013–14 Albany DevilsAHL67123244440222
2014–15 Albany DevilsAHL243101318—————
2015–16 Lukko Liiga 112240—————
2015–16 Manitoba Moose AHL140112—————
2015–16 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL2191322019315182
2016–17 South Carolina StingraysECHL591339521422611172
2016–17 Hershey Bears AHL94372—————
2017–18 South Carolina StingraysECHL602036561640000
2017–18 Hershey BearsAHL20110—————
AHL totals1332149702640222

Awards and honours

AwardYear
College
All-ECAC Hockey Second Team 2010–11 [7]
All-ECAC Hockey Third Team 2011–12
ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Forward 2011–12 [8]

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References

  1. ↑ "Kelly Zajac given a look for the offense". Lukko (in Finnish). August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Moose sign Kelly Zajac". MooseHockey.com. November 16, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Stingrays Sign Kelly Zajac". ECAC Hockey. February 18, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Kelly Zajac will not connect to Tingsryds" (in Swedish). Tingsryds AIF. May 22, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Stingrays Kelly Zajac has become one of the elite forwards in ECHL". The Post and Courier . January 5, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Family Ties Run Deep At Devils Camp". Fox News. July 13, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  7. ↑ Elite Prospects - Hockey Awards & Achievements - NCAA (ECAC) Second All-Star Team
  8. ↑ "ECAC Hockey Mobile - League Announces Regular-Season Awards". Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Forward
2011–12 		Succeeded by
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