While he didn’t dominate the scoresheet much at this event, finishing with 1 goal in 4 games, I thought Kelly was still able to demonstrate a majority of the traits and capabilities that will make him an effective complimentary player at the next level. He’s very good at helping connect plays along in transition by pre-scanning prior to his puck touches which allows him to execute one touch feeds to streaking teammates in the neutral zone that helps facilitate controlled entries into the offensive zone. His size and intelligence allowed him to be an effective player off the cycle, shielding pucks from defenders before distributing to a linemate and attacking into space looking for a return pass. He also flashed some heady playmaking off the rush, keeping his head up as he attacked down the wing and connected on passes to trailing options up high.

Kelly ended up leading the Lions in goals at this event with 3 in 3 games and was one of the their more consistent and effective players up front despite being one of their youngest. His ability to connect plays in transition in the neutral zone is among the best in this draft class, either through quick one touch feeds or long stretch passes on both his forehand and backhand that helped facilitate controlled entries for his line. He’s also a very intelligent off-puck player who’s able to anticipate and cut off outlet passes in the offensive zone, make a quick pass to an open teammate and attack the front of the net. I thought Kelly did a good job of pre-scanning along the halfwall in the defensive zone, which allowed him to play with pace on breakouts and utilize his pinpoint passing ability to hit the streaking centerman that lead to exits with control. While he’s not exactly a dynamic on-puck threat, I think there is a path to him being a strong complimentary player at the next level.

Kelly was a personal favorite of mine throughout the tournament, demonstrating an efficient and intelligent 200-foot game. He doesn’t waste any time with the puck on his stick, making quick decisions and deft on touch plays in transition to allow his teammates to enter the zone with speed. The way he scans the ice prior to receiving a pass was a trait that really sold me on his game early on. He has a high compete level that he uses in all three zones. There were a few notable moments throughout this event where he would hustle back hard on the backcheck to break up a potential odd-man rush for the other team. He doesn’t have great straight-line speed, but he has good bursts of speed in tight areas, especially when hunting for loose pucks. He was effective as forechecker as well, forcing defenders to their backhands and using his stick to break up breakout attempts. He did a good job getting to the dirty areas of the ice in the offensive zone and was really adept at finding loose pucks in the crease area. Although his statistical profile isn’t as noticeable as his peers, I think his overall compete level and style of play are going to help him be successful wherever he plays next year.

Kelly was the ultimate facilitator in this game by making intelligent reads with the puck and flashing a strong passing acumen on a consistent basis. There were a handful of times where he demonstrated strong scanning habits prior to reception that allowed him to make quick one touch feeds in the neutral zone that lead to his linemates attacking the line with speed for a controlled entry. He made a couple of shrewd passes off the rush as well, often slowing things down upon entry and hitting trailing options that lead to dangerous rush chances. He scored the game winning goal in this one by working hard off the cycle, dishing down low then driving the net and snapping a quick one timer from the side of the net.

I thought Kelly was Québec White’s most consistent and effective forward throughout the duration of this game. He was making positive plays all around the ice, including a couple of hard back checks in the first period that nullified some odd-man rushes for Team Montembeault. He was still doing a good job of connecting plays in the neutral zone, making deft one touch passes to jumpstart the transition game and allow his teammates to gain the blueline with speed. He was more impressive in the offensive zone this time around, showing off some good short area speed to get to loose pucks and using his playmaking ability to get pucks to the slot area. Around the perimeter he was using his size more effectively to engage in board battles and come out with possessions. He scored a goal in the third that exemplified some good poise around the crease area, picking up a loose puck and going around the goaltender to slide the puck into an empty net.

I thought Kelly started off the game strong but wavered a bit as it went along. He’s a bigger forward for his age all while being an effective transition player. He makes quick decisions with the puck on his stick, making quick reads through the neutral zone while placing accurate passes so that his teammates didn’t have to break stride. He does a good job at scanning his options before receiving the puck, which allows him to make deft one touch passes before the defense can react. His skating mechanics are a work in progress which makes it difficult for him to be an efficient puck transporter at this stage of his development, but there was a lot to like despite his deficiencies.