Bruins' F Chris Kelly speaks out for first time after devastating injury

Bruins forward Chris Kelly likely saw his season end when he suffered a broken femur in a game against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 3. Kelly had surgery to repair his femur the next day, but his recovery is expected to take over six months, which means he would not be able to return until the playoffs at the earliest.

Kelly is 35 years old and plays a bottom-six role for the Bruins. His contract will expire at the end of the season, meaning it would not be surprising if he starts to think about retirement. But Kelly claimed in a press conference Thursday that he does not plan to say goodbye to the NHL any time soon.

"That’s the furthest thing from my mind," Kelly told reporters of the idea of retirement. "I think age is just a mindset. I felt great coming into camp this year. The great thing about hockey, someone said, is you always feel like you’re 24, even if you’re 19 or 34. I want to continue to play. I love the game, I love being around the guys. The guys have been great. When you get an injury like this, you realize what a strong community the hockey world is."

Kelly also said he has not ruled out a return to the ice this season. The forward had his staples taken out on Tuesday and said he hopes to start trying out the exercise bike next week. 

This is not the first time Kelly has suffered a significant injury. The forward has had three broken leg bones and a herniated disc since signing a four year contract with the Bruins after the 2011-12 season.

(h/t Boston Herald)