Retired Arlington Cop Honored By Alma Mater In Cancer Battle

ARLINGTON, MA — A retired Arlington police officer is being honored by his alma mater as he battles cancer. Saint Anselm College will dedicate the 2021-22 hockey season to Lt. Dan Kelly, who played for the Hawks for four years in the 1980s.

Kelly helped Saint Anselm to 50 victories in four seasons, scoring 10 goals and 41 assists across more than 100 games. He was named a team captain during the 1985-86 season.

The college will formally recognize Kelly with a special home game celebration at the start of the season. His family members, close friends, members of the senior leadership team and hockey alumni will also be invited.

"This is an honor to be recognized and to be a part of a focus on the current and future Saint Anselm men's ice hockey program, one that I was so proud to be a part of," Kelly said in a statement on the Saint Anselm Athletics website.

The hockey team will also wear a special patch on their jerseys honoring Kelly next season. His jersey number – No. 4 – will be embedded on a graphic underneath the arena ice.

"The bond between the current student-athletes on the men's ice hockey team and the alumni is very strong," Saint Anselm hockey coach Larry Rocha said in a statement. "It is special to be a part of the college's hockey family."