SIGNING: Clan welcome chart topper Kielly
The Glasgow Clan, sponsored by Aspray Glasgow West, are delighted to announce the signing of American netminder Jake Kielly for the 2023/24 season.
The 26-year-old joins the club following a successful spell in Germany with DEL2 outfit Kassel Huskies last season.
And Kielly admits a previous visit to Glasgow endeared him as he prepares to make his move to the Elite League.
“I’m excited to be joining a great roster and hopefully challenging for championships this season,” he said. “The ambition of the organisation was something that really stood out to me as I was making my decision.
“I actually made a trip out to Glasgow last year and immediately fell in love with the city. My girlfriend and I are looking forward to being part of the fabric of the community and play in a very good league.
“I’m also looking forward to seeing various parts of Scotland while I’m there and looking forward to an exciting season.”
Kielly, who stands at 6’2”, impressed in Germany last year, finishing as the league’s highest in goals against average (1.97) and save percentage (.926%) in his 29 appearances for the Huskies.
After leaving Clarkson University four years ago, he was picked up on a two-year entry level contract by Vancouver Canucks.
Since then, Kielly has kept goal for ECHL side Kalamazoo Wings and Utica Comets in the AHL, alternating between the teams between 2019 and 2022 before moving to DEL 2 last September.
Clan’s new goalie comes highly recommended says head coach Jason Morgan as he welcomed him to his roster.
“I’m excited to have Jake Kielly as part of the Clan family for this season,” Morgan said. “His ex-coach and teammates all spoke very highly of him.
“He’s a true professional who works extremely hard and I got to see him close up in the DEL2 when I coached against him and saw his ability to be a game changer.
“He led the way in goalie statistics in DEL2 last season, finishing first in goals against average and top in save percentage so we welcome him to Glasgow.
“I like to have strong competition between the pipes, so Jake will be part of an import netminder tandem during the new season”
Kielly will wear the #1 jersey next season, joining Robert Lachowicz, Alex Forbes, Ryan Harrison, Jordan Cownie, Gary Haden, Philippe Sanche, Jordan Buesa and Charlie Combs on the roster for 2023/24.
