Neely played hockey with the Ridge Meadows Hockey Association for the majority of his minor career and has been named to the Maple Ridge honorable people list.[citation needed] With the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League he led the team to the Memorial Cup Championship, becoming the first US-based team to claim the Cup. Neely was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks ninth overall in the 1983 entry draft and played three seasons with them.\n', '

Neely was traded along with a draft pick (1st choice, 3rd overall in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, used to take Glen Wesley) to the Boston Bruins for Barry Pederson. Canucks head coach Tom Watt was not impressed with Neely\'s defense (Neely was 20 at this time), and that was what made him tradeable. Neely said "I was playing behind Stan Smyl and Tony Tanti, so I didn\'t see a lot of ice time, and, certainly not on the power plays."\n', '

Almost immediately, it became apparent that the Bruins had received the better of the deal. Neely stated that "I was surprised at the trade. I really didn\'t know what to expect once I got to Boston and had no idea that my career would turn out the way it did for those ten years. From Day One in training camp, I just wanted to get the opportunity to play. The coaches said, \'Let\'s see what he can do.\' As time went by, I got more and more confidence. I never really thought I\'d be a 50-goal scorer, but I was given a chance to contribute offensively, not just physically."\n', "

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