Kelly Chase
Kelly Wayne Chase (born October 25, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and broadcaster, best known for his role as an enforcer during a 458-game National Hockey League career, primarily with the St. Louis Blues. A native of Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan, Chase carved out a reputation as a tough, physical player whose work ethic and community involvement earned him lasting respect far beyond his on-ice role. His post-playing career as a colour commentator for Blues radio broadcasts on KMOX and his extensive charitable work, particularly with special hockey programs, solidified his status as a beloved figure in St. Louis and across the hockey community. In recognition of his enduring impact, Chase was honoured with the St. Louis Blues True Blue Award in 2026 and was named among the first inductees into the Saskatoon Blades Hall of Fame that same year.
Early Career and Path to the NHL
Kelly Chase's hockey journey began in his home province of Saskatchewan, where he played for the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League before moving to major junior. It was with the Blades that Chase fully embraced the role of an enforcer, a path he recognized as his potential ticket to a professional career. His physical style culminated in the 1987-88 season when he led the entire WHL with 343 penalty minutes, a statistic that, while highlighting his toughness, also made NHL teams hesitant to select him in the 1988 Entry Draft. Despite putting up a respectable 55 points in 70 games that final junior season, Chase went undrafted. His breakthrough came later in 1988 when the St. Louis Blues, seeing value in his grit and character, signed him as an undrafted free agent. Chase spent the majority of the next three seasons honing his game with the Peoria Rivermen of the International Hockey League (IHL), preparing for his eventual NHL debut.
National Hockey League Career
Chase eventually earned a regular spot on the St. Louis Blues roster, where his willingness to defend teammates and his engaging personality quickly made him a fan favourite. His tenure with the Blues was interrupted in January 1995 when he was selected by the Hartford Whalers in the NHL Waiver Draft. Chase famously likened the move to "reporting to Shawshank prison," referencing the film The Shawshank Redemption. He spent most of the next three seasons with the Whalers before a brief stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1997. Prior to the 1997-98 season, the Blues reacquired Chase for future considerations, bringing him back to the city where he had built his strongest connections. Over his NHL career, Chase was known less for scoring and more for his role as a protector, amassing significant penalty minutes across 458 regular-season games. He officially retired from professional hockey on July 28, 2000.
Community Involvement and Awards
Kelly Chase's legacy extends far beyond his statistics, defined by substantial community engagement and philanthropy. In the early 1990s, he co-founded and coached the Gateway Locomotives special hockey team, a program designed to provide individuals with developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in organized hockey. This program was later renamed St. Louis Blues Special Hockey in March 2017. For this initiative and his broader charitable efforts, Chase was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy following the 1997-98 NHL season, an honour given for leadership and humanitarian contributions. His dedication to the St. Louis community was further recognized in December 2008 when he received the Jack Buck Award from the Missouri Athletic Club for his enthusiasm and dedication to sports in the city. In January 2026, Chase's lasting impact was celebrated with the St. Louis Blues True Blue Award, presented at the team's Hall of Fame induction dinner.
Post-Retirement and Broadcasting
Upon retiring from play, Chase transitioned into a broadcasting role, becoming the colour commentator for St. Louis Blues radio broadcasts on KMOX. His insightful analysis and familiar voice made him a staple for Blues fans for nearly two decades until his departure from the role in 2018. Chase remained a visible media personality, making appearances on shows like NHL Tonight and participating in podcasts such as "The Cam and Strick Podcast," where he discussed his career and current events. In 2010, he expanded his public profile by participating in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's (CBC) "Battle of the Blades," a figure-skating competition featuring former hockey players. Chase has also been involved in fundraising efforts, notably his "Puck Cancer" event which raised over $600,000 for cancer research.
Recent Honours and Health
The year 2026 brought significant recognition for Kelly Chase's lifelong contributions to hockey. He was announced as one of the inaugural inductees into the Saskatoon Blades Hall of Fame, an honour that he described as making him "pretty proud" given the foundational role the city and team played in his development. In his induction interview, Chase humbly suggested other former Blades like Curtis Leschyshyn, Dave Brown, and Joey Kocur were more deserving, highlighting his characteristic modesty. This honour followed closely after receiving the Blues' True Blue Award earlier the same year. In late 2023, Chase publicly announced he had been diagnosed with leukemia and had begun treatment. His former teammate, Brett Hull, travelled to tape episodes of the "Ice Guardians" podcast with him during his battle, demonstrating the strong bonds formed throughout his career. Chase's induction into the Blades Hall of Fame confirms the lasting importance of his junior hockey roots in Saskatchewan.
Career Statistics and Playing Style
Kelly Chase's career statistics reflect the role of a classic NHL enforcer during the era in which he played. His primary contributions were measured in physical presence and penalty minutes rather than offensive production. Chase himself acknowledged that his path to the NHL was predicated on accepting and excelling in the enforcer role, a mindset he developed during his junior days in Saskatoon. He described himself as someone who always "ran at the fight and not away from it," a mentality that defined his playing style and longevity in a demanding profession. His notable career milestones and honours include leading the WHL in penalty minutes with 343, winning the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 1998, receiving the Jack Buck Award in 2008, and being honoured with the True Blue Award and Saskatoon Blades Hall of Fame induction in 2026.
- Led the WHL in penalty minutes (343) with the Saskatoon Blades in 1987-88.
- Winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for humanitarian work in 1997-98.
- Recipient of the Jack Buck Award for dedication to St. Louis sports in 2008.
- Honoured with the St. Louis Blues True Blue Award in 2026.
- Inducted into the Saskatoon Blades Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 2026.
- Participated in CBC's "Battle of the Blades" in 2010.
Questions about Kelly Chase
What is Kelly Chase known for?
Kelly Chase is best known as a former NHL enforcer who played 458 games, primarily for the St. Louis Blues. He built a reputation for his tough, physical style of play and his significant penalty minutes. Beyond his on-ice role, he is celebrated for his extensive charitable work, particularly co-founding the Gateway Locomotives (later St. Louis Blues Special Hockey) program for players with developmental disabilities. His post-playing career as a long-time colour commentator for Blues radio broadcasts also made him a familiar voice to fans.
What awards did Kelly Chase win?
Kelly Chase won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy following the 1997-98 NHL season for his leadership and humanitarian contributions, specifically his work with special hockey. In 2008, he received the Jack Buck Award from the Missouri Athletic Club for his dedication to sports in St. Louis. More recently, in 2026, he was honoured with the St. Louis Blues True Blue Award for his lasting impact on the Blues community. That same year, he was also named among the first inductees into the Saskatoon Blades Hall of Fame.
Is Kelly Chase in the Hockey Hall of Fame?
No, Kelly Chase is not in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. However, he received significant hall of fame recognition in 2026 when he was inducted into the Saskatoon Blades Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class. This honour specifically celebrates his contributions and career with his major junior team in the Western Hockey League. The 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame class referenced in some notes was discussing the topic of enforcers, not indicating Chase's induction into that institution.
What is Kelly Chase's connection to Saskatchewan?
Kelly Chase was born in Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan, and his hockey development is deeply rooted in the province. He played junior hockey for the Humboldt Broncos in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League before his three-season tenure with the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL from 1985 to 1988. It was in Saskatoon where he fully embraced the enforcer role that defined his professional career. His 2026 induction into the Saskatoon Blades Hall of Fame highlights this foundational connection, which he has described as being part of the "fabric" of who he became.
What is Kelly Chase doing now?
Following his retirement from playing in 2000 and his subsequent tenure as a Blues radio colour commentator until 2018, Kelly Chase remains active in the hockey community through media appearances and charitable work. He has been a guest on podcasts and television shows like NHL Tonight. In late 2023, he announced a diagnosis of leukemia and has been undergoing treatment. Despite this health challenge, he continues to be recognized for his past contributions, as evidenced by receiving the True Blue Award and Blades Hall of Fame induction in 2026.
Sources and further reading
- Kelly Chase (Wikipedia)
- Kelly Chase among first named to Saskatoon Blades Hall ... (ckom.com)
Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-29.
