Kelleher narrowly avoided tragedy in Bulls early win

by | 1970's-1980's, Belleville Bulls

Brett Kelleher was the Belleville Bulls’ best player during the 1980-81 championship season and was recognized as the league’s most valuable at the end of the year.

He scored 41 goals and 85 points in just 31 games and was the play­off MVP after adding 26 post­season points.

Kelleher’s dream season nearly turned tragic. After play­ing the entire season with Provincial Jr. A-mandated full shields, the team was permitted to play without any facial pro­tection during the OHA finals.

In the first game against Thunder Bay, Kelleher was hit in the face with a shot and took five stitch­es near his eye. He was in the hospital with both eyes band­aged when the team flew to Thunder Bay for the third game against the Kings. Kelleher missed the final three games against Thunder Bay, but was cleared to play with a half visor against Gloucester.

Intelligencer photo courtesy Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County

Excerpt from 25 Years with the Belleville Bulls (Bell, Aaron 2005)

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