Leonard “Red” Kelly hockey legend and Member of Parliament

On my walk through Mt. Hope Catholic Cemetery in Toronto, I came across the grave of the late, great Leonard “Red” Kelly.

Red attended St. Michael’s College School, where he grew up admiring the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was particularly inspired by their rugged defenceman, Red Horner—who, coincidentally, is buried just one section over from him.

After an outstanding 12-year career as a defenceman with the Detroit Red Wings, Red helped lead the team to four Stanley Cup championships and was named a First Team All-Star an incredible six times.

1952 All-Star team, Howe, Latch, Harvey, Sawchuk, Kelly, Lindsay and Clarence Campbell. 

When Detroit looked to trade him to the New York Rangers, Red threatened to retire. But the Toronto Maple Leafs stepped in, and Punch Imlach convinced him not only to stay in the game—but to switch positions. Red moved from defence to centre, playing alongside Frank Mahovlich. The result? Another four Stanley Cups, and a revitalized “Big M” who blossomed into a scoring legend.

Following the Leafs’ last Stanley Cup win in 1967, Red retired from playing and became the inaugural head coach of the expansion Los Angeles Kings. He would later coach the Pittsburgh Penguins and return to Toronto—bringing with him the now-legendary “Pyramid Power” during the 1976 playoffs.

Remarkably, while still playing for the Leafs, Red Kelly was elected to the House of Commons in 1962, representing the Toronto riding of York West as a Member of Parliament. Yes, he served in Ottawa while playing in the NHL—a feat that seems almost inconceivable today.

After a long and remarkable life in sport and public service, Red Kelly passed away in Toronto on May 2, 2019, at the age of 91.