Chatham University Athletics

Mike O’Grady was named Head Coach of Chatham Women’s ice hockey in the Summer of 2018 and had a goal of ushering in a New Era for the cougar’s women’s hockey team. During the past three seasons he has earned a record of 31-32- 2 with three consecutive UCHC playoff Appearances including two UCHC Semi-final appearances. Under O’Grady the women’s ice hockey program has attracted players from all over north America including UCHC Rookie of the year and All UCHC playoff team Member Allison Corser James and UCHC Rookie of the year Ally Nolan. In 2020 the cougars finished 7-6 marking the first winning season in program history and they continued to build on their success in their 21-22 campaign finishing at 16-11 over all and 12-8 in UCHC play both setting program win records. The programs success has not just been on the ice under O’Grady’s leadership. In 2021-2022 they served over 100 hours in community service partnering with the Pittsburgh penguins and pens foundation teaching learn to skate and learn to play hockey at the Hunt Armory and in the classroom the Cougars have maintained a team GPA of 3.2 or better. As they continue to take steps forward in the new era of Chatham women’s hockey Coach O’Grady had this to say “I am excited for this season to start, having returned all but two players from our record setting season last year and welcoming in 8 new faces I believe this program has bought into the vision that we have set for this season and have a take a ton of pride in being apart of both the Chatham and Pittsburgh community.”

Outside of Cougars women’s hockey, Coach O’Grady is currently serving his third season as the UCHC Women’s Hockey Coaches Chair. Most notably Coach O’Grady’s work along with the UCHC commissioner’s office helped devise a schedule during the 2020-2021 season and helping manage any restrictions that programs had due to covid in that season. He also has evaluated for USA hockey for 5 years consecutively at their regional tryouts in both the pacific and Mid American districts and was invited to the U15 USA hockey National camp as goalie coach and evaluator. He has also served as head coach at the USA Multi-district regional camp in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Prior to Chatham Coach O’Grady served as the head coach for Nichols College leading the program from a 1-21-3 record in 2016-2017 and finishing 12-12-1 with the programs first ever playoff win and semi final appearance in 2017-2018. In 2018-2019 Under O’Grady’s leadership the Bison finishing 14-9-3 which placed them second in the CHC and earned them a bye to the CHC Semifinals.

Before Nichols College O’Grady Served as assistant coach at University of Maine where is focus was recruiting and evaluation of prospective student athletes, along with goaltender development. In 2016 He graduate from Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA and wrapped up a two-year stint with Mercyhurst Women’s hockey program as their volunteer assistant. While at Mercyhurst Coach O’Grady and the Lakers earned a CHC conference championship and appeared in the NCAA Elite 8. At Mercyhurst Coach O’Grady oversaw goaltending development and hockey operations for the lakers.

O’Grady Graduate from John Carroll University in 2014 with his bachelors in exercise science. After a career ending injury cut his playing career short, he joined the Blue Streaks’ non-varsity hockey staff serving as assistant coach overseeing equipment, community service and recruiting. While a part of the Blue Streaks’ staff they earned one ACHA national tournament appearance and 3 CHMA playoff appearances.