Kelley was the first coach and general manager of the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association, and in his first season in 1972-73, he was named WHA Coach of the Year after guiding the Whalers to the league championship. He stayed with the franchise until 1975 and returned as GM from 1977-81 (Hartford joined the NHL in the 1979-80 season).
Prior to entering professional hockey, Kelley was coach at Colby College from 1955-62, when he was 89-51 with five ties and was named NCAA Coach of the Year in 1961-62. After seven seasons with Colby, Kelley decided to take the job at Boston University, his alma mater, where in 10 seasons he was 206-80 with eight ties and won the NCAA championship in 1971 and 1972. He returned to Colby to coach in 1976-77.
Kelley was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993.
In addition to his work with the Whalers, Kelley spent 11 seasons as director of hockey operations for Adirondack of the American Hockey League (1982-93) and five seasons as president of the Pittsburgh Penguins (1993-98).
Kelley's son, Mark Kelley, is vice president of amateur scouting for the Chicago Blackhawks. His grandson, Andy Saucier, is video coach of the Penguins.
Photo courtesy of Hockey Hall of Fame Images
