Hockey world mourns the tragic loss of 54-year old longtime defenseman
Photo credit: St. Cloud State University Archives
The hockey community is in mourning, as hockey enthusiast and former St. Cloud State and Omaha Lancers hockey player Kelly Hultgren, has passed away.
Hultgren was born in the state of hockey in St. Paul, Minnesota, in April 1971. Hultgren would have a fulfilling life as a former hockey player, for the St. Cloud State Huskies, serving as a Captain, and with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL.
Hultgren passed away on July 20th, 2025, as he lost the battle to illness, but fought every bit of the way with determination. The Hultgren family would keep the publicity of his illness to his loved ones, and would later determine that hospice care would be the next step on July 17th.
Hultgren passed away on the 20th, surrounded by those who loved him, with his son Kyler by his side.
Kelly Hultgren was not just a hockey player for several years
He was a beloved son, father, and former hockey player, whose career spanned the USHL (Omaha Lancers), NCAA (St. Cloud State Huskies), WHL, ECHL, UHL, and IHL.
He'd finish his hockey career in 2000-01 with the Elmira Jackals of the UHL, playing 60 games and scoring 34 points (11-23).
Hultgren's celebration of life will take place on July 31st, 2025, in Bloomington, MN, at Cedar Valley Church.
While a second celebration will take place at Office Golf in Bloomington from 6 PM to 9 PM, for a more mature crowd.
Originally from Minnesota but living in Pensacola, Florida in recent years, Kelly was known for his passion for hockey, his loyalty to friends and family, and his warm, often humorous spirit. He leaves behind not only memories of joy and resilience but also a lasting example of fatherly love, evident in the mutual devotion between him and Kyler.
We send our deepest condolences to Kelly Hultgren's son, Kyler, and his family in these trying times.
Hultgren passed away too young at the age of 54, before his time, and with his death, we lose more wisdom in the hockey world.
Rest in peace.
Previously on Hawks Insider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 24 | 202 ANSWERS Hockey world mourns the tragic loss of 54-year old longtime defenseman Rest In Peace, former defenseman Kelly Hultgren of the Omaha Lancers. | ||
| Rest in Peace | 202 | 100 % |
| List of polls | ||
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