Education
He attended Grand Rapids High School and was a standout play-maker before committing to a collegiate career with the University of Wisconsin in 1991.
He attended Grand Rapids High School and was a standout play-maker before committing to a collegiate career with the University of Wisconsin in 1991.
He played in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche. Fairchild was drafted to the National Hockey League in 1991 by the Los Angeles Kings in the 7th round, 152nd overall. Prior to his first professional season, Fairchild was traded by the Kings, along with Dixon Ward, Guy Leveque and Shane Toporowski, to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Eric Lacroix, Chris Snell and fourth round pick (Eric Belanger) on October 3, 1994.
After two seasons with the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate, Saint John"s he made his National Hockey League debut appearing in a single game and recording an assist in the 1995-1996 season.
Over the next couple of seasons, Kelly played in 22 further games with the Maple Leafs, but ultimately assigned to minor league affiliates. On July 2, 1998, Fairchild signed a two-year contract with the Dallas Stars.
Despite contributing largely to the offense of the Michigan K-Wings, he was only able to make a lone Star appearance in 1998-1999. Looked upon as an established minor-league veteran, Fairchild was then signed by the Colorado Avalanche in 2000.
Fairchild was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, for the most part of two seasons but played in 10 Avalanche games and scoring his first 2, and only, goals in the 2001-2002 season.
After totaling just 34 National Hockey League games, Kelly left North America when he signed with Eisbären Berlin of the German DEL in 2002. After a prolific first season in the DEL with Berlin, Fairchild was unexpectedly chosen to the United States team to participate in the 2003 World Championships in Finland. As an understrength team, Fairchild scored in the upset loss to Denmark.
Fairchild finished with 5 goals in 6 games as Team United States of America finished a disappointing 13th out of 16 teams.
Fairchild was then a part of two championships with Berlin in 2005 and 2006 before leaving in 2007 to join the Vienna Capitals in the Austrian Hockey League.