LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Patrick J. Kelly upon the occasion of
his induction into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge those
outstanding individuals from the sporting world who have distinguished
themselves through exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented
success and the highest level of personal achievement; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Patrick J. Kelly upon the occasion of his induction into the Greater
Utica Sports Hall of Fame, held on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at the Radisson
Hotel-Utica Centre; and
WHEREAS, Former National Hockey League coach, Patrick J. Kelly is a
2008 ECHL Hall of Fame Inductee who coached in the Atlantic Coast Hockey
League, the American Hockey League, the Eastern Hockey League, the
International Hockey League, the Quebec Hockey League, the Southern
Hockey League, and the World Hockey League; he led the famed Clinton
Comets to five first place finishes, the Charlotte Checkers (SHL) to two
first place finishes, and the Salem Raiders (ACHL) to a first place
finish; and
WHEREAS, From 1984-1985, Patrick Kelly's Peoria Rivermen finished
first overall in the IHL; his teams won three Walker Cups, two James
Crockett Trophies, and one Turner Cup; he was SHL Coach of the Year in
1974-1975, and IHL Co-Coach of the Year in 1984-1985; his combined
coaching record is 936-798-170; and
WHEREAS, As a player, Patrick Kelly was a member of four championship
teams in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) - one as a full-time player
with the Greensboro Generals (1962-63) and three as a player/coach with
the Clinton Comets (1967-68 to 1969-70); the defenseman started his
professional hockey career in the Quebec Hockey League (QHL) in 1957-58
with Trois Rivieres and then split the following year between Trois
Rivieres (QHL) and Troy of the International Hockey League (IHL); and
WHEREAS, Patrick Kelly began the first of his 14 seasons in the EHL
with Greensboro and New Haven in 1959-60; he gained his first head
coaching job in 1964-65 with Jersey (EHL) as a player/coach; in 1967-68,
he guided the Clinton Comets (EHL) to the greatest regular season in the
history of minor professional hockey with a 57-5-10 record; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Kelly ranks fourth all-time in assists (619), seventh
all-time in games played (835), and ninth all-time in PIM (1,150) on the
EHL's all-time lists and was selected to the EHL all-star team a record
nine times; his minor league regular season player totals are: 757
points, 664 assists, 93 goals, and 1,359 PIM in 946 games; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Kelly has received several honors throughout his
coaching career; he was voted to the EHL all-star team as a coach three
times and in 1969-70, he was named THE HOCKEY NEWS Minor Hockey Coach of
the Year; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Kelly has been inducted into four Halls of Fame; he
was enshrined into the Peoria Sports Hall of Fame in February of 1990,
and the Roanoke Hall of Fame and the Sports Hall of Fame in his hometown
of Welland, Ontario, elected him in 1998; in March of 2002, he became
the first inductee into the Greensboro Hockey Hall of Fame when the
Generals (ECHL) retired his No. 5 uniform; and
WHEREAS, As Commissioner of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL),
Patrick Kelly helped expand the game into new markets and developed it
into the biggest minor professional hockey league in North America; the
hockey legend brought professional hockey to seven new cities; when he
stepped down as Commissioner at the end of the 1995-96 season the ECHL

Board of Governors instituted a new ECHL playoff championship trophy,
the Kelly Cup, in honor of his accomplishments with the league; the
board also gave him the lifetime title of Commissioner Emeritus; and
WHEREAS, The careers of the inductees of the Greater Utica Sports Hall
of Fame provide a legacy of commitment and excellence, bringing them
distinction as well as serving as models of inspiration to all who would
aspire to growth and success; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Patrick J. Kelly upon the occasion of his induction into the
Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Patrick J. Kelly.