Pat Kelleher named next USA Hockey Executive Director

By @StefanKubus –

With Dave Ogrean retiring, USA Hockey has named its new executive director.

The organization announced on Thursday that Massachusetts native Pat Kelleher will take over the reins.

Kelleher, 46, is the sixth person to hold the position of executive director, joining Hal Trumble (1972-87); Bob Johnson (1987-90); Baaron Pittenger (1990-93); Dave Ogrean (1993-99; 2005-2017); and Doug Palazzari (1999-2005).

“We’re excited to have Pat lead our organization as we continue to move forward,” president of USA Hockey Jim Smith said in a press release. “He brings a vast knowledge of USA Hockey and the overall hockey landscape and is well connected at all levels of the game. Pat’s done an excellent job in leading our growth initiatives and also been at the forefront of our efforts to raise additional resources through The USA Hockey Foundation.”

Kelleher has most notably guided USA Hockey’s development efforts since 2008 and was previously recruited to launch what is now known as the United States Ice Rink Association.

He also helped increase participation numbers at USA Hockey by helping to start a new department focused on growth in 2008. He established and led the implementation of several initiatives, including national Try Hockey for Free Days and the 2 and 2 Challenge. Programs like those helped advance the number of players at the 8U level by 20-percent over the last eight seasons, including a record number of 8U skaters (115,694) this past season.

“I am humbled and honored to have this opportunity,” Kelleher said in the release. “So many people have helped build this organization into the worldwide leader that it is today, and I look forward to working with our board, staff, grassroots volunteers and the many other constituent groups involved as we continue to elevate our sport.”

Prior to joining USA Hockey, Kelleher spent time in Illinois serving as the director of hockey for the Wilmette (Ill.) Hockey Association and director of hockey for the Twin Rinks Ice Pavillion in Buffalo Grove, Ill. He was also an assistant coach at the University of Massachusetts-Boston for one season in 1993-94.