MANCHESTER, N.H. – Saint Anselm College is pleased to announce that the Department of Athletics will dedicate the upcoming 2021-22 men's ice hockey season to Daniel J. Kelly, III, Class of 1986.

Kelly played for the men's ice hockey team during his four years at Saint Anselm. Thanks in part to Dan's leadership, the team was collectively devoted to the sport and collaborated to achieve its goals. This passion for ice hockey was a way of life for Dan and his teammates.

"We worked hard and were committed to the game, to each other and to maintaining the high standards of the Saint Anselm men's ice hockey program," said Kelly during a recent call with Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach Larry Rocha '79. "All of us on the team at that time were 100% dedicated and truly loved the game."

Kelly, who recently retired as a Lieutenant from the Arlington (Mass.) Police Department, has been courageously battling cancer over the past few years. Despite his illness, a demanding job as a public servant and unwavering love and commitment to his beloved family, Kelly has never lost his passion for the game.

"The bond between the current student-athletes on the men's ice hockey team and the alumni is very strong," said Rocha, who himself skated for the Hawks from 1975-79. "It is special to be a part of the college's hockey family. The current team and its coaching staff are deeply moved that Saint Anselm will be honoring a member of our family and dedicating the 2021-22 season to Dan Kelly."

With the help of a philanthropic gift to the men's ice hockey program from one of Dan's teammates, the Hawks will be provided an extra boost with new Under Armour uniforms next year. Furthermore, the team will honor Dan by wearing a special patch on their jerseys throughout the season. The squad will embed his jersey number – No. 4 – on a graphic underneath the Sullivan Arena ice.

Serving as a team captain in 1985-86, Kelly helped Saint Anselm to 50 victories in four seasons, scoring 10 goals and 41 assists across more than 100 games. He was recently informed of the news during a Zoom call with members of the athletic department staff, on which he was joined by family and friends.

"I just want to say how much I enjoyed Saint A's," said Kelly. "Friends you make in the locker room are friends for life. I have some of the best friends in the world from this team of great men."

Saint Anselm will formally recognize Dan with a special celebration of his time on the Hilltop at a home game to be determined near the start of the 2021-22 season. Kelly's family members and close friends, members of the College's senior leadership team and ice hockey alumni from the more than 50 years of the men's ice hockey program will also be invited. Formal plans will be released this summer.

"This is an honor to be recognized and to be a part of a focus on the current and future Saint Anselm men's ice hockey program, one that I was so proud to be a part of," said Kelly.

Dan and his wife Kelley reside in Arlington, Mass. and have three children, Lauren, Daniel and Jack. He served as a coach to his sons, as well as many youths in Arlington, over the years and is a valued member of the community.