Former B-Sens Goalie Gives Back

7/18/2012 (Updated 8:13:15 PM)

(Source: Travis Eldridge)

BINGHAMTON -- It's been five years since Kelly Guard played for the B-Sens at Veterans Memorial Arena, but after a short hiatus from the Southern Tier, Guard is back.

"Just getting them to work hard the entire camp is the biggest thing for me," said Guard at Chenango Ice Rink Wednesday.

This time though the former B-Sens goalie is teaching rather than playing. This year, Guard got together with Binghamton's Equipment Manager Tom Severance to put together a goalie camp.  Providing young Broome County players an opportunity to learn from the former pro.

"It's good to have role models, whether they're from the area or played here, to come around and help out, its big," said Severance.

Despite not being from Binghamton, Kelly says this place is like a second home to him, and that's why he wants to give back.

"I think it's just the way people are, the way they talk to you," said Guard. "It's just like back home and similar stuff.  I look forward to it every time I come back."

Guard looks forward to coming back because of the support he received here.  While he played for four different teams throughout his pro career, the B-Sens were the only team he played for in the AHL. So it's a special place.

"I just had a good experience here with the fans, I just remember the fans being great and really supportive every game," he said.  "They always showed up, and that's one thing that really stood out to me playing in a city like this."

As a player, the city embraced Guard as one of its own, and now Kelly is returning the favor to the young hockey players of the Southern Tier.