John Bishop ’22
Following the recent anniversary of the US men’s ice hockey team’s “Miracle on Ice” win against the Soviet Union in 1980, EA’s Ice Hockey team just finished another remarkable season, finishing second in the Inter-Ac, with an impressive record of 9-2-2. Their captain, CJ Kelly ‘20, helped fuel this team into having the amazing season that they did through his leadership and dedication to the sport.
Kelly has been playing ice hockey since third grade. However, he did not start playing competitively until fifth grade. “My dad played hockey all his life, and he wanted me to play. I wasn’t very good at first, but in fifth grade, I committed to the sport and started really playing.” Kelly’s main inspiration to play hockey was his dad. “My dad is my best role model, he has coached me the right way, on how to be a good person and a good player. He has made me the player I am today.” Kelly’s career at EA was filled with a variety of memorable moments, but he points to this year’s game against Germantown as the one that meant the most to him: “Earlier this season, we beat Germantown Academy 5-4 on my game-winning goal.” Kelly is also proud that the team was able to beat Haverford twice this year and make it to the title game for the first time in years.
Kelly describes his role on the team this year, saying, “I try to be a good teammate and lead by example.” He felt his main job was to make sure everyone was ready and focused for each game. His leadership helped the team win nine games this season and make it to the Inter-Ac title game. “It’s tough not winning the [Inter-Ac] championship,” says Kelly, “but I’m really proud of what we did. We left it all out on the ice, and I’m just really proud of the team.”
Steven Schuh, History Department Chair and Head Coach of the ice hockey team, describes Kelly as “an outstanding leader and competitor,” saying, “He always gives 100 percent on the ice. He is one of the main reasons why we had such a great year.” He later goes on to say, “He played every minute like it was his last. He never took anything for granted.” This is his fourth year of coaching Kelly, and looking back on the years, he says, “I’ve been able to watch him grow, mainly as a leader, and it has been a pleasure to coach the man he is today.”
Reid Powers ‘20, who has been Kelly’s teammate for all four years, says, “He is not afraid to be vocal. He leads by example to help benefit the team.” He characterizes Kelly as the type of player who gives as much as he expects from his teammates. Powers later goes on to say, “he is the most competitive player on the team and expects 100 percent from everyone on the team.”
Kelly has full intentions to continue to play hockey for years to come, saying, “I plan to play club at whatever college I go to.” He also believes that EA Ice Hockey can have great success in the future. The team looks to use this season as motivation to come back next year and take home the Inter-Ac title next year.