Aquinas College

During her playing career O’Brien 29, a native of East Grand Rapids, progressed through the levels of the Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association (GRAHA) followed by stops in the Detroit area with Belle Tire AAA and Honey Baked AAA - where she helped capture a state championship in 2004. She then capped her competitive career at the NCAA D3 level with Finlandia University from 2004 - 2006. O’Brien then returned to the Grand Rapids area and has been coaching in the Girls GRAHA ranks for the past eight years which included a girls 16U AA State Championship in 2013. In addition to her head coaching duties O’Brien has attained a Level 4 USA Hockey Coaching Certification and has served as a bench coach and head instructor at the regional and national levels with USA Hockey. 

“Our coaching search generated interest not only at the local level, but really from the around the state and beyond,” commented Aquinas College Men’s Head Coach Mark VanVliet, “but from the very beginning Katie stood out as both highly qualified as well as someone who has a real understanding of girl’s hockey state wide.” Added VanVliet, “we feel fortunate to have someone with Katie’s ability and determination to launch our women’s hockey program.” Says O'Brien, “It’s an honor to be named Head Coach of the Aquinas College Women’s Hockey Program, and I look forward to the challenge of building a program that represents the integrity and spirit of Aquinas College athletics."