Buoyed by the support of his father, 67’s Caden Kelly is ready to make an impact

One year ago, Caden Kelly was getting ready to walk into a new adventure as training camp with the Ottawa 67’s approached. He could have hardly known what was next; the frustration of being a healthy scratch in a rotation, struggling for points, and the hard work necessary to thrive in the 67’s organization.

In 49 regular season games, Kelly found the back of the net five times. But it took until the middle of November before he registered his first point, potting his first OHL goal against the Niagara IceDogs. For a player accustomed to putting up the numbers, this felt like an eternity.

The season was a battle, not just physically, but mentally. Some days, Kelly came to the rink missing home, but in hindsight, the learning he did was invaluable.

“It was a big learning curve, for sure,” he said. “It’s different hockey, so a lot of it was learning how the OHL game is played, especially in the Dave Cameron system. I think with the time that I had, I produced pretty well.”

With injuries sidelining forwards like Tyler Boucher, Cam Tolnai, and Chris Barlas in the first round of the postseason, Kelly was tapped in for five games, where he tallied a pair of assists. As the Barber Poles got healthier, that opportunity disappeared, and the Mississauga native was left to watch from the stands.

Without a say in the matter, he watched as the 67’s fell to the Peterborough Petes in the second round, serving as another lesson for the younger players in the group.

“Seeing the faces of the [graduating] guys after we lost, you realize that it is really over,” Kelly said. “It makes you understand that this isn’t a league that you stay in for a long time. You really have to maximize your opportunities. When you have a chance to win a championship, you have to take it, because it doesn’t happen often.”

Kelly has made it clear that he expects more out of himself, but won’t commit to numbers-based goals.

“I don’t like to set points goals, because I like to focus on the inputs, not the outputs,” he explained. “I want to feel like I’m making an impact out there every single shift. Carrying the puck, making plays, putting shots on net. I want to have more of a presence out there.”

To obtain that, Kelly has been doing all the usual things; pushing himself in the gym, and fine-tuning his skills on the ice. Currently, he’s 10 pounds lighter than he was at the end of the season – something he kept at the top of his priority list.

His routine has also included routine chats with his father, who has been by his side his whole life. The “inputs” motto Kelly has been living by is courtesy of none other than his old man, filling the role of an extra coach away from the rink, on top of the regular fatherly duties.

“We think about it as if we are our own little team,” Kelly said of the relationship. “I always call him before I go to the rink and then in the night after practice just to update him on how things are going. He’s always giving me tips, and he was at a lot of games last year. He gives me three goals to focus on every few weeks.”

Heading into the first year of his NHL Draft eligibility, Kelly’s dad has played a big role in keeping his head held high, and filled with confidence. He often reminds the OHL Cup winner of the small things, and pointed out the perfect blueprint for success.

In his rookie season, Brad Gardiner – fellow 67’s teammate – scored seven points, often watching from the press box. Last season, he took a massive step forward, and earned himself some serious recognition, being drafted by the Dallas Stars in the third round.

“Brad went in and proved himself, and showed the guys and the coaching staff how he got better over the summer,” Kelly said. “He learned [from his rookie season], and he was ready to have a bigger role.”

Going into training camp this time around, Kelly knows talk is cheap, it’s what you do on the ice that speaks the loudest.

“There are a few nerves, but a lot of excitement,” Kelly said. “It’s going to be a much different year, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”