Like all of the NHL Kilreas, Wally was born in Ottawa. He played two years with senior Ottawa Montagnards before joining the Senators in 1929-30. He only scored six points in 38 games but he performed yeomen service against the top players on the opposition. The next season he was loaned to the dreadful Philadelphia Quakers who won only four games all year.

Kilrea also played for the New York Americans, Montreal Maroons and Detroit Red Wings. He was a key member of Detroit's back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 1936 and 1937. He left the NHL after playing five games in 1937-38 then dressed for 44 contests with the Pittsburgh Hornets of the AHL. This was followed by a half dozen years with the Hershey Bears before retiring in 1944. Kilrea's best year during this period was 1942-43 when he led the AHL with 68 assists and 99 points and was named to the league's first all-star team.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame