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 six seasons, he has earned a record of 55-78-8 overall with a 40-54-5 Conference record and with six consecutive UCHC playoff Appearances including four UCHC Semi-final appearances. Under O’Grady, the women’s ice hockey program has attracted players from all over North America and Europe, including UCHC Rookie of the Year and All UCHC playoff team Member Allison Corser James and UCHC Rookies of the Year Ally Nolan, Klara Miuller, and All-Rookie team Member Samantha Brophy.  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 overall and 12-8 in UCHC play both setting program win records. The program's success has not just been on the ice under O’Grady’s leadership. Through our 3-year partnership with the Penguins foundation and the Hunt Armory Ice Arena, the program served over 500  hours in community service, teaching learn to skate and learn to play hockey, and learn to skate programming. In the classroom, the Cougars have continued to raise the team GPA Finishing this past fall with a 3.6 team GPA. As the program continues to take steps forward, Coach O'Grady had this to say: "I am proud of our players for their commitment to our program and their drive to compete day in and day out as we continue to take steps forward everyday"

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.