Bob “The Hound” Kelly has spent more than 50 years as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers organization. As a player, he was known for his high-energy and aggressive style of play. As the organization’s longtime “ambassador of hockey” throughout the Delaware Valley, he brought the same enthusiasm and energy to serving in the community.
A longtime Flyers Alumni Association board member, the 74-year-old Kelly recently announced his retirement at the end of the 2024-25 season. Hound will be honored on March 29, 2025, when the Flyers host the Buffalo Sabres at the Wells Fargo Center. One night earlier, at the Flyers Alumni’s annual Friday Night Fights event at 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia, there were be a special tribute segment dedicated to the Hound.
Drafted by the Flyers in 1970, Kelly jumped directly from junior hockey to the NHL level. He spent 10 seasons in the orange and black and became a “Broad Street Bullies” mainstay as a hard-charging winger on two Stanley Cup championship teams. His brothers-in arms included Dave “The Hammer” Schultz, Don “Big Bird” Saleski and Andre “Moose” Dupont.
Flyers Hall of Famer Joe Watson has said of Kelly, “Every player should have a teammate like Hound, and every person should have a friend like him.”
In Game 6 of the 1975 Stanley Cup Final, Kelly’s goal on the opening shift of the third period proved to be the Cup winner for the Flyers.He and the late Rick MacLeish share the distinction of scoring a Cup-clinching goal for the team.
Kelly is tied for 8th in games played in Flyers history with 741. He is 7th all time in penalty minutes, spending 1,295 of them in the box. His most productive season with the Flyers came in the 76-77 campaign in which he netted 46 points and 117 penalty minutes. Hound was also a key player on the
Flyers’ 1979-80 squad that set a North American pro sports record with 35 straight games without a loss.
After his playing days with the Flyers and Washington Capitals, Kelly became the organization’s long-tenured ambasador hockey. He was also a fixture as an officer in the Flyers Alumni Association.
Flyers Hall of Famer Paul Holmgren said of Kelly, “No person has traveled more miles or spent more hours than Bob Kelly, year in and year out, representing the Flyers and the sport.”
Throughout the year, Kelly visited countless schools and met with Flyers fans of all ages. He tirelessly championed the Hometown Heroes program and supported veterans and military families. He helped teach the next generation of players as part of the Hooked on Hockey Program. In the summertimes, he was a constant fixture in the annual community caravan events and the annual charity Carnival. He was an integral part of charity fundraising for the Flyers and Flyers Alumni alike. Meanwhile, on game nights, Kelly regularly met with season ticket holders before and during the game.
Overall, Bob has touched the lives of tens of thousands of fans, young and old, spreading his passion for the game. Just as he did on the ice, Hound has fueled the unbreakable bond between the city of Philadelphia and his beloved Flyers.