Neely was born in Comox, British Columbia He 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. He was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks ninth overall in the 1983 entry draft. He played three seasons with the Canucks before being traded to the Boston Bruins. Neely reached the fifty goal mark three times, played in five All-Star games, and was named the league's Second Team All-Star at right wing in 1988, 1990, 1991, and 1994. His #8 jersey has been retired by the Bruins, making him the tenth player to have a number retired by the team. Neely was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005.