NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Rob O'Gara '16, the most decorated defenseman in the history of Yale hockey, has returned to the men's program as an assistant coach.

"It is with great excitement that we add Rob to our coaching staff," said Keith Allain '80, Yale's Malcolm G. Chace Head Coach. "His experiences as a Yale student-athlete, a national champion and an NHL player will be extremely helpful to me and to all of our current and future Bulldogs. He brings tremendous passion to this position, and I am certain that he has a bright coaching future ahead of him."

A two-time All-American and two-time ECAC Hockey Defensive Defenseman of the Year, he helped the Bulldogs win the 2013 NCAA Championship while playing in every game as a rookie. O'Gara went on to play six pro seasons, including stints with the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.

"I'm extremely excited to go back to a place that gave me so much, not only as a player, but a young man as well," said O'Gara. "As bittersweet as it was ending my career as a professional hockey player, being able to stay in the game in this capacity at a place so near and dear to my heart is a dream come true."

The fast-skating blueliner was a two-time first-team All-ECAC, All-Ivy League and All-New England selection who finished 13th at Yale in career points for a defenseman with 51. O'Gara is the only player in Yale history to be three-time recipient of the school's John Poinier Award (best defenseman).

"I hope to give the current and future Yale Men's Hockey players my spin on everything I received from incredible coaches like Red Gendron, Dan Muse, and, of course, Keith Allain, during my time at school. I'm so excited to get going and start competing for championships at Ingalls," said the new coach.