Christopher Kelly (born November 11, 1980) is a Canadian native and former professional ice hockey centre who later transitioned to coaching at the highest level of the sport. A veteran of junior and professional leagues, he became known as a reliable two-way forward, frequently deployed on penalty kill duties and in defensive matchups. He is currently listed as an assistant coach with the NHL club Boston Bruins.
Early life and junior career
Kelly developed as a prospect in Ontario, playing in the Ontario Hockey League for several seasons. He spent four seasons with the London Knights and one season with the Sudbury Wolves, where his work ethic and defensive discipline raised his profile among scouts. He was selected in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, 94th overall, and moved into professional play thereafter.
NHL playing career
Kelly began his NHL tenure with the Ottawa Senators, the club that drafted him, and spent multiple seasons there establishing himself as a dependable checking centre. He later signed with the Boston Bruins, where his role as a penalty killer and faceoff specialist contributed to team depth. He also had a stint with the Anaheim Ducks during his career.
Playing style and role
Throughout his playing days Kelly was valued for his defensive instincts, positional play and consistency in short-handed situations. As a centre he was often matched against opposing teams' top lines to limit scoring chances, and his presence in the locker room was noted for leadership and preparation.
Achievements and transition to coaching
One of Kelly's most notable team achievements is winning the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011. After retiring from active play he moved into coaching and development roles and later joined the Bruins' coaching staff as an assistant, shifting his on-ice experience into mentoring and tactical work behind the bench.