Although Kelowna lost in the third round of the WHL playoffs that season, the city was chosen to host the 2004 Memorial Cup and as such the Rockets received an automatic berth in the tournament.

Guard was never selected in the NHL Entry Draft, but was signed to a professional contract by the National Hockey League's Ottawa Senators in 2004.

He had similarly brief stints with the Vienna Capitals of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga and Junost Minsk of the Belarusian Extraleague before signing with Serie A's HC Pustertal-Val Pusteria.

After sustaining a groin injury in an October 2008 game, Guard's contract with Pustertal-Val Pusteria was terminated by mutual consent.

Although he said that "the city, the environment and the teammates were outstanding," Guard was disappointed with the level of play in Serie A and, already contemplating retirement, the injury helped make his decision final.

[5][6] In November 2022, Guard was named goaltending coach for Team Canada at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships[7] where they beat the Czech Republic for the gold.

[2] On July 25, 2024, it was announced that Kelly Guard would be joining the Edmonton Oilers' AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, as their goaltending coach.