Former Sudbury Wolves defenceman Reagan O’Grady has been named head coach of the Sudbury Wolves U18 AAA program.
O’Grady returns to the organization where he played his minor hockey before embarking on a five-year OHL career that included stops with the Kingston Frontenacs, Sudbury Wolves, Mississauga Steelheads and Saginaw Spirit.
“This opportunity for me is very surreal,” O’Grady said. “To have it come full circle and be a part of the youth program that I spent the majority of my career in before the OHL is super exciting.”
Originally selected by the Kingston Frontenacs with the 15th overall pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection, O’Grady appeared in 285 career OHL regular season games, recording 23 goals, 49 assists and 72 points. He also represented Canada Black at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Following the conclusion of his playing career, O’Grady transitioned behind the bench, spending six seasons with the OJHL’s Lindsay Muskies, where he served as both an assistant coach and Director of Player Development. He also spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the Owen Sound Attack.
“I think it has helped me a ton,” O’Grady said of his playing and coaching experience. “I’ve learned a ton from a lot of great people over the last 10 years with playing and coaching. I have a ton of great mentors that I will be able to lean on when I’m in need of some help. I’ve become more aware of how the landscape is ever changing and always needing to adapt to the change.”
O’Grady said the opportunity to help players develop has been the most rewarding part of moving into coaching.
“I love just the day-to-day being around the players and being in a position where I can watch the players’ growth to get to the next level,” he said. “I also love the bus trips and all the time spent with the players and staff, building relationships with the team.”
As he begins his first head coaching opportunity, O’Grady hopes to help prepare the next generation of players for junior hockey.
“I want to be firm but fair,” he said. “I want to be able to connect with the kids and make sure they’re prepared when they get to junior hockey. I want to bring all my past experiences and share them, and push these kids to the next level. I want them to remember me as a player’s coach that loved coming to the rink every day to battle and compete with our group.”
