Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: NHL left wing for St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Chicago from 1973-1979.
DOB: June 6, 1946 In: Fort William, Ontario
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 195
Hockey Inspirations: Uncle Larry and of course also Gordie Howe was a huge inspiration.
First Hockey Memory: Scoring the winning goal in Pee-Wee Championsip.
Nicknames: “Battleship” – nickname from George Patrick Duffy, the PR & Marketing guy for the Providence Reds in 1969. Scott Garland and other teammates called me ‘The Smiling Killer’ because I guess I used to smile during fights.
Last Book Read: Winds Of War – Herman Wouk.
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: Gordie Howe – five years old.
Greatest Career Moment: Being inducted into the Northwestern (Ontario) Hockey Hall of Fame (in 2017). Also scoring the winning goal in the Pee-Wee Championship game.
Most Painful Career Moment: Hit with a heal of a stick in my eye – was told I’d be blind in the eye. Columbus in IHL.
Most Memorable Goal: Two goals against Ken Dryden first time in old Montreal Forum (with St. Louis).
Funniest Player Encountered: Dennis Hull.
Funny Hockey Memory: After pounding Dave (“The Hammer”) Schultz, he wanted a third fight. I said, “I’m not wasting my knuckles on your cement head.”
Fiercest Competitors Encountered: Terry O’Reilly. Kevin Morrison. Keith Magnuson.
Closest Hockey Friends: Dave Burrows. Jean Pronovost. Ron Stackhouse. Lowell McDonald.
Favorite Rinks To Play: Montreal Forum. Boston Garden. Oakland California Coliseum – my only hat trick. Detroit Olympia Stadium.
Least Favorite Rink To Play: Madison Square Garden – The ice was the worst.
Favorite Uniforms: Toronto Maple Leafs. Detroit Red Wings. Chicago Blackhawks.
Why Do You Love Hockey: Most exciting sport on earth.
Favorite Players To Watch: Bobby Orr. Gordie Howe. Jean Beliveau. Sid Crosby. Connor McDavid.
Most Memorable Fights: Probably Kevin Morrison in the AHL. But the Schultz fights got a lot of press.
People Qualities Most Admired: Straight-forward, honest, loyalty.
Favorite Artist: Nick Marra. He forced me to say it [smiles].
Career Accomplishments: Scored 87 goals with 109 assists for 196 points in 425 NHL games; Added six playoff goals in 23 career playoff matches; Was Toronto’s first round draft choice 16th overall in 1967 amateur draft.
(Note: This Biofile interview was made possible by Nick Marra.)
Bob “Battleship” Kelly inducted into Northwestern Ontario Hall of Fame
