Billy Connelly enters his 10th season with the Chatham University men's hockey program in 2026-27. A member of the coaching staff since the program's inaugural 2017-18 season, he has played an integral role in establishing the Cougars as a competitive program within the UCHC and at the national level.
During his tenure, Connelly has assisted the Cougars to the most successful seasons in program history, including signature victories over nationally ranked opponents, postseason wins, and the program's first appearance in the USCHO Top 15 National Poll. Along with the growth of the team's success, his efforts in recruiting and player development have contributed to numerous individual accomplishments, including multiple UCHC major award recipients and the program's first two-time All-American selection.
Connelly has also helped cultivate an expectation of excellence in the classroom. Chatham student-athletes have earned more than 175 UCHC All-Academic Team selections, over 60 AHCA All-American Scholar honors, and numerous university academic and leadership awards. He has also assisted in the development of 20 alumni who have gone on to sign professional hockey contracts.
A Pittsburgh native, Connelly graduated from Central Catholic High School, where he later spent 17 years coaching and mentoring multiple student-athletes who advanced to NCAA hockey and professional hockey careers. He and his wife, Emily, live just a few miles from Chatham's campus with their daughter, Elizabeth, and their dogs, Iris and Reggie.
