Playing career

Kelly was drafted in the third round, 42nd overall by the Kitchener Rangers in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection.

After completing his junior career with the Rangers, Kelly was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Jersey Devils organization on May 19, 2010. In his first professional season with the Albany Devils in 2010-11, Kelly recorded two goals and seven points in sixty-one games while being described as a "consistent, hard-nosed" defensive defenseman. His +7 plus/minus was tied with two others for Albany's team-best.

In 2012-13, his third pro season with Albany, Kelly was often a healthy scratch as the 2012-13 NHL lockout saw many of the organization's top prospects land in Albany. Kelly nonetheless recorded the top plus/minus (+10) amongst all Albany defensemen while scoring two goals in 47 games. Kelly subsequently signed an AHL contract with Albany in August, 2013.

On May 12, 2016, Kelly was assessed a ten game suspension by the American Hockey League for an illegal check to the head of Toronto Marlies forward Andreas Johnson during a playoff game. Kelly targeted Johnson's head with his elbow as the Marlies' player was crossing the blue line into Albany's zone. The hit, described as "egregious", "sickening", and the type of play the sport is trying to eliminate, knocked Johnson unconscious and he did not return to the game. He was hospitalized and suspected of suffering a concussion. The incident marked the third time Kelly faced suspension by the AHL; he was cited March 21, 2015, for a hit against Norfolk Admirals forward Michael Sgarbossa, and again for a December 3, 2015, hit delivered to St. John's IceCaps center Jeremy Gregoire.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]