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Chris Kelly and Adam McQuaid excited to take on new roles |
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Chris Kelly and Adam McQuaid have found success in the Bruins organization as players in the past, both winning a Stanley Cup with the team in 2011.
Now, they’re looking to do so again, this time in different roles.
Last week Chris Kelly was named as the Bruins new assistant coach, replacing the departed Jay Pandolfo. Kelly spent the last two seasons as the club’s Player Development Coordinator.
After coming to Boston via Ottawa, Kelly quickly learned what the culture in Boston was all about, and what it meant to be a Boston Bruin. With his new role and a more hands-on job as assistant coach, Kelly once again can help grow that culture.
“I saw it when I joined the organization. How hard the top-end players compete in practice every day and in games and helping those players learn how to be a pro, day in and day out,” said Kelly. “And I think Boston's extremely fortunate to have the players that they have leading — not only the young players, but the new players to come in.”
Those leaders Kelly talks about are of course Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, both of whom were teammates of Kelly’s during his time in Boston.
"I think there's obviously that respect factor that we played together, we were fortunate enough to win together,” said Kelly.
"We've continued to stay friends over the last 10 years. Going into a coaching role with these guys still as players, I'm learning from them just as much as I hope I'm trying to teach them some things.”
While Kelly has had some involvement with the growth of players inside the organization in his previous role, it’s not quite the day-to-day grind and involvement a coaching staff has with it’s players.
Kelly looks forward to that.
“You’re kind of in the fight with the players in terms of being there day-in, day-out. You can see the small differences, potentially helping younger players grow their game. With development, yeah there’s that growth, but you’re not with them day-in, day-out,” said Kelly.
“They’re with their club team in college or in junior. You’re seeing them periodically, so you don’t see the growth, I found, as much. Whereas when you’re there every day, you can really help the players and really break it down a little bit more.”
While Kelly is certainly familiar with Bruce Cassidy’s coaching style watching from afar over the past two years, it’s Kelly’s previous experience with coach Cassidy that really got Kelly intertwined with what Cassidy's coaching philosophy looks like.
As a 20-year old playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, it was Cassidy who was behind the Griffin’s bench.
"I was fortunate enough to play for Bruce my first pro season. And watching his teams from afar, he's an excellent coach,” said Kelly. “His in-game adjustments, the way he plays on the offensive side of the puck as well as the defensive side, you've seen players thrive in his system stats-wise, I'm super excited to learn from all the coaches. They all do a fantastic job.”
With Kelly’s promotion comes a new role for McQuaid who takes over as the Bruins Player Development Coordinator.
"I talked to Kells [Kelly] a lot about what he was doing and, obviously, I still have a passion for the game,” said McQuaid. “I felt like this would be a role that I could embrace and enjoy doing. Obviously, it's good to be back part of the Bruins organization. I'm really excited about that."
With his new role McQuaid will be working closely with the staff in Providence, including newly named head coach Ryan Mougenel.
"I think the Bruins are a first-class organization, and have set the gold standard for success and kind of the demands that the players bring each day and kind of hold each other accountable,” said McQuaid.
“And I think I can communicate that to the younger guys that are coming in, what the expectations are, hopefully help them eventually realize their goal of playing in the NHL and being a Boston Bruin. All those things together, I think makes this opportunity really exciting.”
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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