John Kelley (ice hockey)
| Sport(s) | Ice Hockey |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
July 11, 1907 Cambridge, MA, USA |
| Died | April 10, 1986 (aged 78) Boston, MA, USA |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1933-1942 | Boston College |
| 1946-1972 | Boston College |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 501-244-15 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
|
1949 NCAA National championship 8 Beanpot Titles 8 New England Championships ECAC playoff title |
|
| Awards | |
|
Lester Patrick Trophy, 1972 Spencer Penrose Award, 1959, 1972 |
|
| Records | |
| First to coach to reach 500 wins | |
John "Snooks" Kelley (July 11, 1907 – April 10, 1986) is a former American ice hockey coach. Kelley was coach of the Boston College Eagles ice hockey team for 36 years. Kelley won the 1949 NCAA ice hockey title and was the first coach to win 500 games in the NCAA. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1974
Kelley arrived at Boston College in 1925 after attending Boston College High School. He was a two sport athlete for the Eagles, playing both baseball and ice hockey. Kelley finished his collegiate playing career following his graduation in 1930. Kelley’s graduation came just after hockey was removed from as a varsity sport due to the Great Depression.
On January 8, 1933 Kelley agreed to coach a group of BC students while he was completing his teaching at Cambridge Latin. The position offered no pay, and forced him to give up playing with the Boston Hockey Club, but it was the beginning of a career that would last until 1972. Kelley’s coaching career was put on hold with the outbreak of World War II. In 1942 Kelley joined the United States Navy and remained enlisted until 1946, before returning to coaching.
Just three years after serving with the Navy Kelley lead his Boston College team over Dartmouth and win the NCAA National Championship. It would be the first championship won by an Eastern school. The 1949 National Championship was the only one of his career, however he would lead the Eagles back to the title game in 1965. Boston College lost the championship game to Michigan Tech 8-2.
On December 26, 1952 Boston’s famous Beanpot Tournament was established. Kelley enjoyed great success in the tournament winning 5 of the first 10. Some have pointed to his success in the Beanpot leading to Kelley gaining his stature as the face of BC hockey. Kelley coached BC to eight Beanpot titles in thirteen years, including three in a row from 1963-65.
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