Thunder sign Wisconsin forward Joe Kelly with LOI for 2021-2022 season.

The Drayton Valley Thunder of the Alberta Junior Hockey League are proud to announce 03 forward Joe
Kelly (Eau Claire, WI) has signed with the team for the 2021/22 season.
The Wisconsin forward is coming off an impressive Highschool career with Eau Claire Memorial where
the sniper finished with 55 goals and 63 assists in 62 games. Kelly’s 118 points sit 4 th all-time in Eau Claire
Memorial history. Joe also represented Team Wisconsin in the prestigious Minnesota Highschool Elite
Hockey League this season where the speedy forward chipped in with 13pts in 20 games. Kelly was also
selected to participate in Team USA’s S-15 and S-16 programs where the top 100 forwards in the
country compete in their age category. In 2019, Kelly dressed in 4 games as an affiliate player with the
Sioux City Musketeers (USHL).
Associate General Manager Matt Keillor had this to say about the new signing.
“first and foremost, Kelly is an exceptional young man. Hes mature beyond his years and his coaches at
every level spoke very highly of his character and determination. On the ice he’s a dynamic skater that
can make plays at full speed and is always on the hunt for the puck. He has the ability to play his off wing
and center position and will help provide some much-needed secondary scoring. Coach Thurston does a
great job developing an identity here in Drayton and a player like Joe I have no doubt will flourish in this
environment.”
Joe Kelly is the second player to commit to Drayton Valley from Team Wisconsin joining teammate
Drew Sutton (Hortonville, WI). The Thunder would like to Welcome Joe and the Kelly family to Drayton
Valley and can’t wait to see his development both on and off the ice.