Chris Kelly (ice hockey)

Chris Kelly
Kelly with the Boston Bruins in 2013
Born	(1980-11-11) November 11, 1980 (age 43) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position	Center/Left wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Ottawa Senators Boston Bruins Anaheim Ducks
National team	Canada
NHL draft	94th overall, 1999 Ottawa Senators
Playing career	2001–2018

Christopher Kelly (born November 11, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and current assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. Kelly played for the Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was a member of the Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup-winning team.

He won gold with Team Canada at the 2017 Spengler Cup. In the 2018 Winter Olympics, Kelly represented Canada as captain of the men's ice hockey team, leading the team to a bronze medal. ^{[1] [2]}

Playing career

Amateur

Kelly was born in Toronto and grew up one hour east of the city in Bowmanville. ^[3] He started playing in the Bowmanville Recreational Hockey League and with the Bowmanville Toros AA program.^{[ citation needed ]} He played in the 1994 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Toronto Marlboros minor ice hockey team. ^[4] For one year, he played for the OHA Jr. A. hockey with the Aurora Tigers. ^[3] Kelly was then selected in the fourth round, 56th overall, by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s London Knights in the 1997 OHL Priority Selection. ^[5]

At the major junior level, Kelly played for both the Knights and the Sudbury Wolves. In 1998–99, he scored 36 goals, his career-high scoring mark in the OHL. He also played for the Team Orr in the mid-season at the CHL Top Prospects Game. In the OHL playoffs, he scored nine goals and 26 points in 25 games as the Knights reached the OHL Final.^{[ citation needed ]}

Professional

Kelly in 2009 as a member of the Ottawa Senators.

Ottawa Senators

Kelly was drafted 94th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. ^[6] He spent one year in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Grand Rapids Griffins and three seasons in the same league with the Binghamton Senators. He also played with the Muskegon Fury (of the UHL) for four games (recovering from an injury). In 2004–05, he had finished fifth in the AHL in plus-minus with +30. He also finished fifth on Binghamton with 60 points, as the team finished fourth overall in the League. When he was a professional rookie in 2001–02, he helped the Griffins finish fourth in the AHL. In his two final seasons in Binghamton, Kelly served as team captain.

Kelly made his NHL debut on February 5, 2004, in a match against the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of four games he appeared in with Ottawa during 2003–04. In his rookie season of 2005–06, he became a regular in Ottawa's line-up, appearing in all of the team's 82 games and registering 30 points whilst playing in a checking role. The following season, he was a member of the Senators team that advanced to the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals. ^[7]

On July 31, 2007, he re-signed with the Senators to a one-year contract worth $1.263 million. Kelly was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2008, but again re-signed with the Senators on a four-year contract extension worth $8.5 million on June 20, 2008.

Kelly during his 300th game with the Senators.

Boston Bruins

As part of a rebuilding process undertaken by the Senators as the 2010–11 season was concluding, Kelly was traded to the Boston Bruins on February 15, 2011, for a second-round draft pick in 2011; Ottawa later used the pick to select forward Shane Prince. Kelly and the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup, ^[6] defeating the Vancouver Canucks.

On April 12, 2012, Kelly scored the game-winning goal in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Washington Capitals; the Bruins ultimately lost the series in seven games.

A pending unrestricted free agent as the 2011–12 season wrapped up, Kelly was rumoured to be returning to the Senators, ^[8] though he ended up re-signing with the Bruins on June 11, 2012, agreeing to a four-year, $12 million contract. ^[9] The deal, however, was quickly rejected by the NHL due to what then-Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli referred to as "payroll tagging issues." ^[10] Kelly stayed with the Bruins, and played in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals. ^[6]

As the 2013–14 season began on October 3, 2013, with a home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Kelly had his first-ever chance at a penalty shot in his NHL career in the first period of the game; he converted the penalty shot, scoring the first Bruins goal of the season against goaltender Anders Lindbäck while the Bruins were in a short-handed situation en route to an eventual 3–1 home victory. ^[11] The goal marked the first time in NHL history that a team scored its first goal of the season via a penalty shot. ^[12]

In his sixth year with the Bruins in the 2015–16 season, and in the final year of his contract, Kelly began the campaign leading the Bruins penalty-kill. Kelly scored 2 goals in 11 games before on November 3, 2015, he buckled his left leg on the ice and broke his left femur in a game against the Dallas Stars. ^[13] He was announced to have undergone surgery the following day and was scheduled to have a 6-8 month recovery period, which effectively ruled him out for the season. ^[14]

Return to Ottawa

As a free agent following his recovery from his broken leg with the Bruins, Kelly signed a one-year contract to return to the Ottawa Senators on July 7, 2016. ^[15] In the 2016–17 season, Kelly appeared in all 82 games for the club, scoring 12 points.

Later career and Anaheim Ducks

At the conclusion of his contract, Kelly was not re-signed by the Senators, making him an unrestricted free agent. Unsigned over the summer, the Edmonton Oilers signed Kelly to a professional tryout on September 9, 2017. ^[16] Kelly attended the Oilers training camp and pre-season and remained with the club to start the 2017–18 season. Despite practicing with the team, Kelly was not offered a contract with the Oilers, and on November 24, 2017, he returned within the Senators organization by signing a professional tryout deal with new AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators. ^[17]

On January 9, 2018, following his performance with Team Canada at the Spengler Cup, Kelly was re-signed to a professional tryout agreement with the Belleville Senators. ^[18]

At the conclusion of the Olympics, Kelly returned to the NHL in agreeing to a one-year, $1.25 million contract for the remainder of the season with the Anaheim Ducks on February 25, 2018. ^[19] He appeared in just 12 games to play out the regular season, posting two assists. ^[6]

Coaching career

On September 4, 2018, Kelly was hired by the Senators as a development coach, effectively ending his playing career. ^{[20] [21]} Kelly joined former Senators' teammate Shean Donovan in overseeing and supporting the development of prospects throughout the Ottawa system. ^[22]

On August 13, 2021, Kelly was hired as an assistant coach by the Boston Bruins.

International play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
Olympic Games
	2018 Pyeongchang

Spengler Cup

On December 20, 2017, Kelly was released from his professional tryout agreement with the Belleville Senators to join Team Canada for the 2017 Spengler Cup, ^[23] which they won. He rejoined the Senators immediately following the tournament.

Olympics

On January 11, 2018, Kelly was named to Team Canada for the 2018 Winter Olympics. ^[24] He was named team captain on February 8, 2018. ^[25] Kelly and Team Canada won the bronze medal, defeating the Czech Republic 6–4. ^[1]

Personal life

Kelly married during the summer of 2008 in Mexico. ^[26] He met his wife Krissy Broderick while attending Saunders Secondary School as a member of the London Knights as a teenager. Broderick now teaches elementary school in Ottawa. ^[27]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1995–96	Toronto Marlboros AAA	MTHL		42	25	45	70	25		—	—	—	—	—
1996–97	Aurora Tigers	MetJHL		49	14	20	34	11		—	—	—	—	—
1996–97	Vaughan Vipers	OPJHL		5	0	0	0	5		—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	London Knights	OHL		54	15	14	29	4		16	4	5	9	12
1998–99	London Knights	OHL		68	36	41	77	60		25	9	17	26	22
1999–00	London Knights	OHL		63	29	43	72	57		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	London Knights	OHL		31	21	34	55	46		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Sudbury Wolves	OHL		19	5	16	21	17		12	11	5	16	14
2001–02	Muskegon Fury	UHL		4	1	2	3	0		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		31	3	3	6	20		5	1	1	2	5
2002–03	Binghamton Senators	AHL		77	17	14	31	73		14	2	3	5	8
2003–04	Binghamton Senators	AHL		54	15	19	34	40		2	0	0	0	4
2003–04	Ottawa Senators	NHL		4	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Binghamton Senators	AHL		77	24	36	60	57		6	1	2	3	1
2005–06	Ottawa Senators	NHL		82	10	20	30	76		10	0	0	0	0
2006–07	Ottawa Senators	NHL		82	15	23	38	40		20	3	4	7	4
2007–08	Ottawa Senators	NHL		75	11	19	30	30		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Ottawa Senators	NHL		82	12	11	23	38		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Ottawa Senators	NHL		81	15	17	32	38		6	1	5	6	2
2010–11	Ottawa Senators	NHL		57	12	11	23	27		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Boston Bruins	NHL		24	2	3	5	6		25	5	8	13	6
2011–12	Boston Bruins	NHL		82	20	19	39	41		7	1	2	3	4
2012–13	HC Red Ice	NLB		8	4	5	9	8		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Boston Bruins	NHL		34	3	6	9	16		22	2	1	3	19
2013–14	Boston Bruins	NHL		57	9	9	18	32		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Boston Bruins	NHL		80	7	21	28	48		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Boston Bruins	NHL		11	2	0	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Ottawa Senators	NHL		82	5	7	12	23		2	0	0	0	0
2017–18	Belleville Senators	AHL		16	0	2	2	10		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Anaheim Ducks	NHL		12	0	2	2	2		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				845	123	168	291	417		92	12	20	32	37

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2018	Canada	OG			6	2	1	3	0
Senior totals					6	2	1	3	0

References

1. "Canadian men's hockey team beats Czech Republic to win Bronze medal". National Post . February 24, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
2. "Canada picks Chris Kelly as Captain of Olympic men's team". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. February 14, 2018. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
3. Brian McNair (July 1, 2011). "Bowmanville's Chris Kelly a key Stanley Cup contributor". durhamregion.com. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
4. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
5. "KNIGHTS ALUMNI IN THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS". londonknights.com. May 24, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
6. "Chris Kelly joins Ottawa Senators as development coach". Global News . September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
7. Allen Panzeri (October 25, 2007). "Stats don't tell Kelly's story". Ottawa Citizen . Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2007.
8. "Sens should re-sign tough duo". Canoe.ca . June 5, 2012. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
9. "Bruins agree to terms on new deals for Kelly and Campbell". The Sports Network . June 11, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
10. "NHL rejects Kelly contract". Canoe.ca . June 14, 2012. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
11. Kalman, Matt (October 3, 2013). "Bruins beat Lightning in season-opener". www.nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
12. "Bruins subdue Lightning in opener". Boston Globe . October 3, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
13. "Seguin dominates as Stars beat Bruins". The Sports Network . November 3, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
14. "Kelly's fractured Femur a major blow to Bruins leadership, penalty-kill". NESN . November 3, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
15. "Senators sign F Kelly to one-year contract". TSN . July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
16. "Edmonton Oilers add Chris Kelly on PTO agreement". Edmonton Journal . September 9, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
17. "Belleville Senators sign Chris Kelly to a PTO". silversevensens.com. November 24, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
18. Tidcombe, Matt (January 9, 2018). "Senators sign Kelly to a second PTO". bellevillesens.com. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
19. "Ducks sign Olympian Chris Kelly to one-year deal". The Sports Network. February 25, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
20. "Senators appoint Chris Kelly as a Development Coach". NHL.com. September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
21. Garrioch, Bruce. "Senators hire Chris Kelly as development coach". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
22. "Sens add Kelly as development coach". tsn.ca. September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
23. Tidcombe, Matt (December 20, 2017). "Kelly released from his PTO". bellevillesens.com. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
24. "Hockey Canada announces men's Olympic roster". Sportsnet.ca. January 11, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
25. Wharnsby, Tim (February 8, 2018). "Canada picks Chris Kelly to captain Olympic men's hockey team". olympics.cbc.ca. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
26. Garrioch, Bruce (September 16, 2008). "NHL Team Reports: Summer Vacation". The Hockey News. p. 49.
27. Kressman, Jim (May 11, 2006). "Kelly finding feet with Sens". Slam! Sports. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2008.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Eurohockey.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database
• Chris Kelly's biography at NHLPA.com ^{[ permanent dead link ]}