Red Kelly, the defenseman-turned-center whose Hall of Fame career included eight Stanley Cups while playing for Detroit and Toronto, died Thursday at the age of 91.
Kelly was also a former coach and GM for the Penguins. He finished with a 90-132-52 record. He took the team its first NHL playoff berth. He replaced general manager Jack Riley, but was later reduced to being the team’s coach and Riley was rehired as GM.
The Penguins released a statement Thursday: “The Pittsburgh Penguins organization mourns the loss of Hockey Hall of Famer and former Penguins head coach Red Kelly. Kelly passed away this morning at the age of 91. Our thoughts are with the Kelly family, their friends, and the hockey community.”
He was a standout player in the NHL for years and won multiple cups with Detroit and Toronto.
Kelly spent nearly 13 seasons with Detroit, helping the Red Wings win four championships from 1950-55. In 1954, he was the first winner of the James Norris Trophy, which goes to the NHL’s top defenseman.
After being traded to Toronto during the 1959-60 season, Kelly became a forward and scored at least 20 goals in each of his first three full seasons with the Maple Leafs. Toronto won the Stanley Cup four times from 1962-67.
While with Toronto, Kelly was also a member of Parliament. He was elected as the Liberal MP for York-West in 1962 and again in ‘63.
