Red Kelly is a former Canadian hockey player in the NHL. A solid, playmaking defenseman, he joined the Detroit Red Wings in 1947. In 1954 he won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman.

Kelly also won the Lady Byng Trophy in 1951, 1953, and 1954 as the NHL's most gentlemanly player. An exceptional player at both ends of the ice, Kelly was known not only for his great checking skills as a defenceman, but also for his exceptional puck-handling and passing skills as well. Kelly used all these elements to help the Red Wings move the puck down the ice very quickly. During his years as a Red Wing the team won the Stanley Cup 4 times and Kelly was chosen as a first team All-Star team 6 times.

In 1960 he was traded to the New York Rangers but announced his retirement, and refused to report to New York, thereby nullifying the trade.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Punch Imlach tried to talk Kelly into playing for Toronto. Though he disliked Maple Leaf Gardens, Kelly joined the Leafs.

Kelly became a full-time forward with the Maple Leafs and became a great playmaker in tandem with lethal goal scorer Frank Mahovlich. He won his fourth Lady Byng Award in 1961. In his eight seasons with the Leafs, they won the Stanley Cup four times - the same number of times he'd won in Detroit. Kelly is the only player to have won the Cup eight times without having played for the Montreal Canadiens.

After the Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967, Kelly found himself traded to the Los Angeles Kings. He arrived, not as a player, but instead settled himself into the position as head coach. Starting off with some instant success the team made the playoffs two years in a row.

Kelly moved on to coach the Pittsburgh Penguins for three season, making the playoffs in his first and last seasons with the team. He returned to the Maple Leafs as coach in 1973. He stayed in the position from 1973-74 to 1976-77. The team earned a playoff berth in all 4 seasons with Kelly as head coach but got eliminated in the quarterfinals each time.

His final regular season coaching record was 261-311-128.

On October 4th, 2006, he and his number were honored by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Olympic Sports, Hockey