Boston Bruins: Chris Kelly Practicing With Team
The Boston Bruins have certainly missed forward Chris Kelly this season. When the B’s alternate captain broke his leg in a game against the Dallas Stars back in November, it was assumed that Kelly had played his last game in a Bruins uniform. Yesterday, Kelly skated in his first full practice in five months. While it’s likely Kelly won’t be able to play in the last three games this season, his return has been a good sign for the Black and Gold.
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“He’s come along and he’s working hard, so it’s encouraging,” said Head Coach Claude Julien. “The players enjoy having him around, and it’s a good body to have around the room with the other guys. He’s intense and focused, and as we said right when we lost him: he’s a part of our core group, and we’ve missed him.”
While the fans didn’t appreciate Kelly’s contract, he did earn his keep in Boston. He was a solid member of the B’s penalty kill. He was dependable in the face off circle. Granted, he wasn’t known for prolific scoring, but he was a key piece of Julien’s defensive minded system.
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“It was good. It was obviously a little thing, but it was nice to be with the guys and skate with them. Obviously I’d like to be back playing at night, but it’s coming along. It’s time. It’s a long recovery coming back from a major injury, and it’s coming back the way I’d like,” said Kelly of his rehabilitation. “Today was a step today in the right direction, and you just want to keep having better days one after the other. With this injury it’s really been baby steps.
“When you’re playing and you’re so heavily involved, maybe it’s nice to get…I don’t want to say an outside voice because I’d like to think I’ve been part of the group all year long, but maybe a guy seeing things from a different perspective. Somebody that can tell them maybe things aren’t as bad, or aren’t as good. Whether it’s words of encouragement or whatever, just a way to try and help out.”
Chris Kelly remained a voice in the locker room throughout his rehab. He became a supplementary coach to many of the young kids who got called up throughout the season. Even though Kelly and the Bruins found a place for him somewhere on the team this season, Kelly would have preferred to been playing with the team this season.