One of the National Hockey League's all-time greatest players will be in Guelph on Saturday.
Hockey legend Leonard “Red” Kelly, now 89, played 21 years in the NHL, 13 of those with Detroit Red Wings, eight with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both teams were among the winningest in that era.
A hard-checking, laser-passing defenseman throughout his time with Detroit, he was converted to center after a 1960 trade to the Maple Leafs.
Kelly, a red-head, played the entire 1959 season with a broken ankle.
Born in the town of Simcoe, southwest of Hamilton, Kelly learned the game of hockey on local ponds. He attended St. Michael’s College School in Toronto, starring in hockey and leading the college to three championships.
During his later playing years he also served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for the York West riding of Toronto, serving one term from 1962-65 under leader and eventual Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson.
Over his 1,316 career games he scored 281 goals, with 542 assists. He was on eight Stanley Cup winning teams, and was awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times for sportsmanlike conduct.
Kelly also coached for a decade in the NHL with Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Toronto. He was the expansion Los Angeles Kings’ first ever coach, and guided the team to two consequence playoff births.
In his book, Kelly reminisces about his childhood and some of the misadventures he got into, about his playing time with the championship St. Michael’s team, and his illustrious professional career.
On Saturday, 2 p.m., Kelly will be signing copies of his new book, The Red Kelly Story, at the Guelph Chapters, Stone Road Mall. The event is free. Copies of the book will be available for sale. Co-authors L. Way Gregoire and David M. Dupuis will also be on hand.
