2-Time RI High School All-Stater & “Player of the Year” in 1954
Coach of 1984 & 1988 US Olympic Teams
Coached a total of 15 USA Hockey National, Select & Paralympic Teams
2-Time USA Hockey National Coach-in-Chief

While Rhode Island has been known for many successful and influential coaches at all levels of the game, Bob O’Connor’s name stands out at USA Hockey’s headquarters in Colorado Springs, where the Coach’s l,ibrary is named after him.

Bob, known as “OC”, was born in Providence in 1935. He was a star forward at LaSalle Academy, playing on their state championship team in 1954. He was voted All-State in both ’53 and ’54 and RI’s top player in his senior year.

O’Connor went on to post-grad studies at Hebron Academy in Maine before serving two years with the US Marines. After his tour, he enrolled at Providence College where he played with linemate Lou Lamoriello.

After graduation, O’Connor moved to Edina, Minnesota, the home state of his wife, Alice. There, he fell in love with coaching. For ten years, “OC” coached youth hockey in Edina, winning State Championships at the Midget, Peewee and Squirt levels. He also served as JV coach at Edina HS for 25 years, amassing an amazing record of 423-48-22.

His record and reputation brought him to USA Hockey, where he became assistant coach for the 1984 and 1988 USA Men’s Olympic Hockey teams. He also served as an assistant coach for the 1991 and 1992 USA National Junior Teams, as well as either a head or assistant coach for seven other USA select teams.

Other designations include: Associate Coach, National Women’s USA Hockey Team, USA Hockey National Coach-in-Chief; Minnesota Head Coach-in-Chief; Assistant Coach, USA Paralympic Hockey Team 2006, Torino, Italy; and Assistant Coach, USA Junior National Team 2007-08, Bronze Medal winner.

Bob’s long involvement with USA Hockey includes serving as Coach-in-Chief of USA Hockey’s Minnesota affiliate for 14 years; as Director of USA Hockey’s Coaches Section for 10 years; and as USA Hockey’s National Coach-in-Chief for two campaigns.

USA Hockey recognized Bob for his selfless dedication to enhance the sport of ice hockey in the United States with a “hat trick” of their most prestigious awards. Then first was in 1990 when they award OC with the Wm. Thayer Tutt Award. He was also the 1997 recipient of the Walter Yaciuk Award, given annually to the individual who demonstrates a consistent commitment and contribution to coaching education and the development of USA Hockey coaches. He received USA Hockey’s prestigious Builders Award in 1999 and was elected Director Emeritus of USA Hockey in 2004.

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