Born on 22 December 1957 at Saulte Ste Marie, Ontario Chris Kelland’s earliest memories of the sport are of outdoor rinks which are very much the norm back “home”. Having played right through his formative years, Kelland graced the university ice hockey scene for five further years before coming to Britain in 1980 and proceeding to spend the next 18 years playing defence at the highest possible level within these shores.
In addition to an outstanding domestic career with Murrayfield, Nottingham and Sheffield, Kelland’s greatest triumphs came as Captain to his adoptive country's rise through the International ranks. From the lowly depths of World Championship Pool D in 1990, to Great Britain's sensational Pool B gold medal in Holland just three years later, and with it promotion to the elite group where Britain faced the might of Russia and Canada 12 months later in Italy, Kelland was an inspired leader. In his 31 matches for GB Kelland contributed 10+8 with 44 minutes in the penalty box but it was his cool, calm and authoritative presence that marked out most effectively his contribution to the GB programme.
On arriving in Britain, 22 year old Chris Kelland joined Murrayfield Racers who in those days were competing in the near all-amateur Northern League under the guidance of fellow Hall of Famer, and then player-coach, Alex Dampier. Kelland's first game this side of the Atlantic was a Racers 7-2 home win over arch rivals Fife on Saturday 2nd November 1980. He immediately made an impact on the blue-line and was named the next spring as joint winner (with another fellow Hall of Famer, Jim Lynch) of the 'Overseas Rookie of the Year' award. He was also voted onto the All-Star 'A' team, a feat repeated the next two seasons, and again in 1984/85, 1986/87 and 1987/88.
During his eleven years in the Scottish capital, logging around 50 minutes of ice time a game, his efforts were a major factor in Racers capturing the Northern League title and also the Autumn and 'Icy' Smith Cups in his first year; retaining the league crown the next season, adding the revived Scottish League. Although losing finalists in the early Heineken sponsored Wembley Championship finals of 1984 and 1985, Chris – who was by now Captain of Racers, collected a British Championship winners medal in 1986 as racers defeated Dundee by 4-2. This was followed by consecutive Heineken British League titles for Murrayfield and more Championship runners-up medals, including one for 1990’s nail biting penalty shot loss to Cardiff (after overtime had failed to separate the sides).
Through the early part of his career, Kelland was used as a 'policeman' and collected 175 penalty minutes in his first two years at Racers, prior to the formation of the British League. He stayed loyal to Murrayfield for 11 years, saying they treated him well. At 5’9” and 185lbs, Kelland was always super fit and Racers on-ice training at 1-2pm was a boost, taking place as it did, at a time when most clubs were more usually practicing around midnight. Taking care of his body contributed to his on ice longevity whilst also enabling him to return to Canada for three months each summer to work as a lumberjack but amongst his lesser claims to fame, Kelland also featured on a Lyons tea quiz card wearing his familar no.21 shirt.
By March 1989, under the then prevailing maximum three import player rule, he had lived here long enough to be reclassified as a 'non-import', and duly applied for – and obtained - his British passport.
Although always resisting a move onto coaching he claimed that Alex Dampier was the biggest influence on his career. It was therefore no surprise when, in summer 1991, he followed his mentor (now behind the bench) to Nottingham where he assisted Panthers to collect the Norwich Union sponsored Autumn Cup and a second placing in the league and at the Wembley week-end.
He again linked up with Dampier mid way through 1992/93 making the short move from Nottingham to join deadly rivals Sheffield Steelers. More winners medals followed including consecutive British League and Championship play-offs commencing in 1995, with the Benson & Hedges Autumn Cup added the following winter.
The first Superleague season (1996/97) saw Chris at Manchester Arena to collect yet another winners medal in the end of season play-off Championships and although intending to call it a day, was persuaded to stay with Steelers for one more year.
However the sacking of Dampier from Sheffield in 1998 finally persuaded Chris to hang up the boots and, at the age of 40 he realised a long held ambition being accepted into the South Yorkshire fire service.
Such has been Kelland’s enthusiasm for the sport that even then, firefighting duties permitting, he could not stay away from the ice. He helped Solihill Blaze to an English Premier League and Cup double during 1998/99, with 12+45 from 30 outings and has kept in shape with Sheffield Scimitars of the amatuer EL Northern Section. More recently he was persuaded to join Hull as emergency cover in January 2000 and turned out 12 times for Thunder in the British National League. In the winter of 2001 he also helped out the newest BNL entry Coventry Blaze on five occasions.
With an amazing record of 844 matches in two decades Chris Kelland's total career statistics are:
Northern League 1980/82 GP39 GLS33 ASS30 PTS63 PIM175
British League/Superleague 1982/98 GP758 GLS319 ASS857 PTS1176 PIM1982
English Premier/British NL 1998/01 GP47 GLS12 ASS53 PTS65 PIM84
Totals GP844 GLS364 ASS940 PTS1304 PIM2241
Compiled by Martin C Harris March 2002
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