Kevin Colley began his hockey career in the Collingwood Minor Hockey Association playing from Novice through to Midget upon his arrival from his birthplace – New Haven, Connecticut.
As the celebrated sniper, Kevin’s Atom Hockey Club – Pepi’s – won the International Silver Stick Tournament. During this high profile tourney, Colley collected 22 points with 11 goals & 11 assists.
As a member of the Collingwood Bantam Rep. Legionnaires, he was a key ingredient as they captured the Ontario Minor Hockey Association
“BB” championship.
In 1997 , Kevin participated in the most prestigious major junior hockey tournament in this country – Memorial Cup Tournament – during his active playing career with the Oshawa Generals from 1996- 99. Following his Junior career, Kevin played for
the Hartford Wolf Pack in the ECHL between 1999 -2000; graduating to the AHL for the 2001-2005 seasons.
Kevin’s enthusiastic play resulted in his call to the NHL’s New York Islanders in
2005. Again, it was Kevin’s playing style saw his playing time increase with the Islanders until a career-ending injury halted Kevin’s promising hockey playing career.
Oshawa Highlights
1996 Oshawa’s 3rd Round pick (43 overall) in the OHL
1997 Memorial Cup vs. Lethbridge
Plays for TeamUSA at World Juniors in Finland
1998 Scores winning goal – OHL All Star game in North Bay
1998-1999 Leads Oshawa Generals in regular season scoring
OHL All Star game in Sarnia & receives Most Outstanding Player
for Oshawa
Nominated for the OHL Red Tilson Award (Outstanding play & Gentlemanly conduct)
Professional Hockey Career Highlights and Awards
2002- 2003 ECHL All Star Game in Estero, Florida (2 Assists)
2002-2003 Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies win Kelly Cup in ECHL. Playoff MVP
2003-2004 AHL Bridgeport – Sound Tigers Fan Favourite
2004-2005- AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers “Godsy Award” (Favourite Enforcer)
Jan 2005 AHL Bridgeport Sound Tiger Captain
Oct 27, 2005 First NHL game for NY Islanders vs. NY Rangers at Madison Square Gardens.
Captain Courageous Award (Annual award named in his honour)
2005-2006 New York Islanders – Received Bob Nystrom Award for Leadership, Hustle & Dedication
Feb 24, 2006 Announces his hockey retirement after breaking his neck in a headfirst crash into the boards on January 31, 2006.
September 2008 Named head coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, a minor league affiliate of the New York Islanders.
Kevin’s rise to become a NHL player was the result of his endless pursuit to become an on-ice presence during every shift. The entire community cheered his arrival to the
“Show” in 2005 and shared the disappointment of his career ending injury. Kevin’s hockey story will teach our future hockey generations that every dream can be achieved through hard work and tireless commitment.