Kelly Kisio is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on September 18, 1959, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Kisio began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Calgary Wranglers in 1976. He played for the Wranglers for four seasons before being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.
Kisio made his NHL debut with the Red Wings in the 1981-82 season. He played in 15 games that season, scoring two goals and four assists. Kisio played for the Red Wings for two more seasons before being traded to the New York Rangers in 1984. He played for the Rangers for six seasons, serving as the team's captain for two seasons.
In 1990, Kisio was traded to the San Jose Sharks, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Calgary Flames for two seasons before retiring from professional hockey in 1995. Kisio played in a total of 761 NHL games, scoring 164 goals and 387 assists for a total of 551 points.
After retiring from playing, Kisio began a career in coaching. He served as an assistant coach for the Flames from 1995 to 1997 before becoming the head coach of the International Hockey League's (IHL) Las Vegas Thunder in 1997. Kisio coached the Thunder for two seasons before being hired as the head coach of the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Calgary Hitmen in 1999.
Kisio coached the Hitmen for 18 seasons, leading the team to two WHL championships and one Memorial Cup championship. He was also named the WHL Coach of the Year in 2010. Kisio retired from coaching in 2017, but he remains involved in hockey as a scout for the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights.
Throughout his hockey career, Kisio was known for his leadership and work ethic. He was a versatile player who could play both center and wing positions. Kisio was also known for his offensive skills, particularly his playmaking ability. He was a consistent scorer throughout his career and was a valuable asset to every team he played for.
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