Kelly celebrated his 50th season in hockey in 2002–03 having begun his career with the St. Catharines TeePees of the Ontario Hockey Association Junior A in 1952. He played professionally for the Trois Rivieres Lions in the Quebec Hockey League, Troy Bruins of the International Hockey League and the Greensboro Generals of the Eastern Hockey League. He helped Crowland capture the 1948–49 Bantam B Championship of Ontario, beating Peterborough in the finals.