On Saturday, Nov. 13, there was a standing room only crowd as the Men’s Ice Hockey Team dedicated their 2021-22 season to Daniel J. Kelly, III ’86.
Kelly played on the ice hockey team his four years at Saint Anselm College, and served as the team captain in 1985-86, his senior year. During his time on the Hilltop, Kelly scored 10 goals and 41 assists across more than 100 games. Since graduation, Kelly served as a police officer in Arlington (Mass.), retiring as a lieutenant in June 2020. Dan and his wife Kelley reside in Arlington and have three children, Lauren, Daniel and Jack. He never lost his love of hockey, coaching his sons and other Arlington youth hockey players. Both sons went on to play hockey at the college level.
“With Danny, the words that come to mind are fortitude, toughness, integrity, loyalty and it carries over to all facets of his life,” shared former teammate Kevin Kervick '86. “In his professional life, his brethren always knew that he had their back. In his family life, Danny is the foundation of the family.”
Kelly’s former teammates, family and 100 members of the Arlington Police Department all gathered before the men’s game for a ceremony honoring Kelly and remembering his teammate, Arthur Langley ’86.
Following a blessing by Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B. ’71, H.D. ’04, Hubie McDonough '86 took a few minutes to Langley, who passed away in 2019.
“Two outstanding men – one being honored, one being remembered,” said Rich Evans '87, sharing words written by former team advisor, Professor Joe Catanese. “They wore the Saint Anselm sweater with pride and dignity; exemplars of the Anselm tradition of excellence.”
The ceremony ended with Dr. Joseph Favazza, president of Saint Anselm College, formally dedicating the 2021-22 men’s hockey season in honor of Dan Kelly, class of 1986. Kelly then had the opportunity to drop the ceremonial first puck. Men’s replica jerseys, also worn by the men's and women's teams during their games Saturday, were auctioned off during the silent auction to benefit the Dan Kelly ’86 Ice Hockey Fund, which will support the men’s and women’s teams. To encourage participation, Michael ’88 and Patricia Rockett ‘88 have pledged to match donations, dollar for dollar, up to the first $20,000 raised.
The men’s ice hockey team is honoring Kelly by wearing a special patch on their jerseys throughout the season, and the college embedded his jersey number – No. 4 – on the Sullivan Arena ice. Thank you to the Rocketts for their generous support of the event.
The men’s ice hockey team beat Stonehill 3-2.