# Kelly Zajac

Kelly Zajac (born June 6, 1988) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played for the Union Dutchmen in the NCAA Men's Division I ECAC Hockey conference and in the American Hockey League for the Albany Devils, Manitoba Moose and Hershey Bears.

## Playing career

After finishing his collegiate hockey career with Union College, Zajac signed as a free agent with the AHL's Albany Devils in 2011. In August 2015, Zajac left the Devils organization and signed a one-year contract with Finnish Liiga club, Lukko, which included an initial two month try-out. Three months later, Zajac returned to the AHL after signing with the Manitoba Moose. The Moose released Zajac on February 12, 2016 after which Zajac signed with the South Carolina Stingrays.
Zajac originally opted to return to Europe for a second season in agreeing to a contract with Tingsryds AIF, however on May 22, 2016, Zajac decided to stay in North America after the conclusion of the 2015–16 season with the Stingrays. He then signed a two-way contract with the Hershey Bears and Stingrays for the 2016–17 season.

## Personal life

Kelly is the younger brother of professional hockey players Travis and Darcy Zajac. Their youngest brother, Nolan, played with the NCAA Denver Pioneers. Their father, Tom, also played for the University of Denver.

## Career statistics

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2006–07 | Salmon Arm Silverbacks | BCHL | 59 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 20 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2007–08 | Salmon Arm Silverbacks | BCHL | 60 | 21 | 41 | 62 | 28 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 4 |
| 2008–09 | Union College | ECAC | 39 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2009–10 | Union College | ECAC | 39 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2010–11 | Union College | ECAC | 40 | 13 | 29 | 42 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011–12 | Union College | ECAC | 41 | 8 | 34 | 42 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011–12 | Albany Devils | AHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012–13 | Albany Devils | AHL | 14 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012–13 | Trenton Devils | ECHL | 15 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013–14 | Albany Devils | AHL | 67 | 12 | 32 | 44 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2014–15 | Albany Devils | AHL | 24 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015–16 | Lukko | Liiga | 11 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015–16 | Manitoba Moose | AHL | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015–16 | South Carolina Stingrays | ECHL | 21 | 9 | 13 | 22 | 0 | 19 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 2 |
| 2016–17 | South Carolina Stingrays | ECHL | 59 | 13 | 39 | 52 | 14 | 22 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 2 |
| 2016–17 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 9 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2017–18 | South Carolina Stingrays | ECHL | 60 | 20 | 36 | 56 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017–18 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| AHL totals | AHL totals | AHL totals | 133 | 21 | 49 | 70 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |

## Awards and honours

| Award | Year |
| College |||
| All-ECAC Hockey Second Team | 2010–11 |
| All-ECAC Hockey Third Team | 2011–12 |
| ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Forward | 2011–12 |