Paul Kelly is an American Lawyer who built a distinguished legal career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting NHLPA counterpart Alan Eagleson for fraud, and later served as Executive Director of the NHL Players’ Association from October 2007 until August 2009. Described by some as the first “true, clean” NHLPA leader, Kelly aimed to reform the union’s troubled past and foster a more cooperative relationship with NHL management. His tenure ended in a surprising boardroom ousting in Chicago, amid internal power struggles. Following his departure, Kelly was appointed Executive Director of College Hockey, Inc. in late 2009—a role in which he promoted NCAA Division I hockey, recruiting top talent to U.S. college ranks