Pelley was born in Kitimat, BC, Canada, where he attended St. Anthony's Elementary School and Mount Elizabeth Secondary School. At the age of 16, Pelley moved on to play hockey in the BCHL, first with the Prince George Spruce Kings, finishing his BCHL career with the Vernon Vipers. He then went on to play NCAA Division 1 Hockey on an athletic scholarship for the Buckeyes of The Ohio State University. Pelley graduated with a degree in Sports Management in 2006. After his collegiate career, Pelley signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils. He scored his first NHL goal on November 8, 2007 against Martin Biron of the Philadelphia Flyers. With New Jersey's AHL affiliate, the Lowell Devils in the 2008–09 season, Pelley contributed 38 points in 75 games. He then played his first full season in the NHL in 2009–10 with New Jersey. On December 12, 2011, Pelley, along with Mark Fraser and a 2012 7th round draft pick, was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Kurtis Foster and Timo Pielmeier. New Jersey Devils GM, Lou Lamoriello spoke about the trade: "When you have such quality individuals who've given you so much each and every day in practice and in the locker room as support, you try and do the best for them. This is a win situation for both teams. They're getting two role players who will be tremendous for them and we're getting a player who has tremendous upside in the role we see that he'll fit." A free agent with the 2012 NHL lock-out in place, Pelley signed midway into the 2012–13 season to a professional try-out contract with the Ducks' affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL on November 23, 2012. After the season with the Admirals, Pelley signed a one-year deal worth $550,000 to return to the New Jersey Devils. He played the next four seasons leading the Devils AHL affiliate in Albany. As a free agent, Pelly opted to continue in the AHL signing a one-year deal with the Stockton Heat and agreeing to an invite to participate with NHL affiliate, the Calgary Flamestraining camp. On September 19, 2017, Pelley was re-assigned by the Flames to the Heat. After a solitary season with the Heat, Pelley left North America as a free agent, securing a one-year contract with Danish club, SønderjyskE Ishockey of the Metal Ligaen on July 24, 2018.
