Rob O’Gara

Classroom

Yale University is constantly regarded as one of the finest institutions of higher learning in the world. The academics are vigorous, and the Bulldogs are constantly a nationally ranked college hockey program, making balancing the classroom and athletics difficult. However, Rob O’Gara fully understood the value of an Ivy League education and decided to challenge himself on and off the ice. This decision has paid off. O’Gara currently has a 3.4 grade-point average and has made the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team every year. He will earn his degree in economics from Yale this spring and continues to succeed in his studies.

Character

As any young hockey player will attest, patience is a difficult trait to practice. And while O’Gara’s accolades began to roll in during high school and with the Junior Bruins, scouts and coaches told him similar evaluations. “He looked more like a fawn on skates than a future NHLer,” says Boston Globe writer Fluto Shinzawa, echoing what met the eye of spectators. O’Gara had the potential to become a great hockey player, but he would need to develop slowly, but surely. Every year thereafter, he has been praised for improving his skills and physical figure, a nod to his mental toughness in the weight room, kitchen and on the ice. Beyond hockey, O’Gara has made a name for himself for being a man of high quality character, giving back to his community, and even was given the “want your sister to date” in a Yale hockey superlative survey. O’Gara is a model of a mentally tough competitor and an ideal person to have representing a university.

Community

The work ethic in the classroom, perceived character and athletic awards can only go so far in reflecting the type of player O’Gara is. The true measurement of his persona and what he prides himself most in is his contribution to the community. He has been a head counselor for the Jack Greig Hockey Camp in Long Island since 2007, being a role model for the youth hockey players from his home area. O’Gara also finds himself speaking with youth hockey teams from around the New Haven, Connecticut, area. He inspires members of the community with his outreach and enthusiasm when leading these programs. O’Gara cites his passion for hockey and his desire to positively affect the lives of young skaters for the reasoning behind his service.

Competition

Rob O’Gara has made an outstanding impact on the Yale University Athletics program, highlighted by bringing back hardware from the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh his freshman year. O’Gara played in all 37 games for the 2013 NCAA Champion Bulldogs and is given much credit for the shutout against top-ranked rival Quinnipiac University in the championship game. Individually, O’Gara has accomplished a long list of athletic goals and honors. He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 2011 NHL Draft, earned the 2015 ECAC Hockey Defensive Defenseman Award, was a first-team AHCA/CCM All-American, and is currently a nominee for the 2016 Hobey Baker Award. A Boston Globe writer enthusiastically featured O’Gara in an article, exclaiming, “By the time he leaves Yale, it shouldn’t take long for him to knock on the NHL door. The Bruins are waiting.” During his senior year, O’Gara is building upon his past accolades and has become one of college hockey’s most valuable players.