A New Boss In Ottawa

There was some shock that was sent through the major university in the nation's capital in the spring when Ottawa Gee Gees head coach Chelsea Grills announced that she was leaving the program. It was strange because the Gee Gees had been on the rise for some time in the RSEQ, and they'd be moving back to the OUA in one season's time which could have put Ottawa in a good spot as one of the stronger teams in the OUA. Through solid recruiting and inspired play, Ottawa just missed out on a trip to Nationals this season, but they appear to be poised to make a run next season. The only difference is that Stefanie McKeough will be guiding the team as the University of Ottawa announced they had hired McKeough today.

McKeough's hockey experiences are vast. She was a standout defender with the Ottawa Lady Senators before helping Team Canada's U18 team win a silver medal in 2008-09. She would attract the attention of a number of big schools who wanted her to play on their roster, but she ultimately landed at the University of Wisconsin where she helped the Badgers win an NCAA National Championship in 2010-11 while being named the NCAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2011-12.

The 32 year-old McKeough spent some time developing her coaching skills before accepting an assistant coach's position with the SDHL's Gothenburg Panthers in 2018-19 before assuming the head coaching role in 2020-21. However, that head coaching responsibility was short-lived as McKeough resigned from the club on October 13, 2020 after just nine games. She'd land at the University of Ottawa as an assistant coach in 2020-21 after returning from Sweden, and she worked as an assistant coach with the U18 World World Championship Canadian team in 2022-23.

You may be wondering why she left Gothenburg after just nine games after being named the head coach, and there were a few reasons for the departure that was entirely her decision. She missed family as she had been working away from Ottawa from some time at that point, and there was an air of uncertainty surrounding her visa process which added to the stress of the job. In short, she opted to leave on her own terms.

Her efforts with Gotherburg were seen positively, though, as chairman Jan Mellgren told Göteborgs-Posten that McKeough's work was of "an exemplary manner".

"This has taken place with the greatest consensus," he told the newspaper of her decision. "She is welcome back any day if she wants to continue her job of developing players. We really need her. Our confidence in Stefanie is unwavering. It has nothing to do with a conflict or mistrust in any way, but it is her decision."

Anytime one can get praise like that, you know one was doing a good job. In any case, McKeough came back and joined Grills' staff in Ottawa alongside the talents of Greg Bowles, and those three led the Gee Gees on their annual improvement before finishing the 2022-23 season at 16-7-2 - its best record in 16 years - while finishing in third-place in the RSEQ, just four points back of second-place Montreal. In the playoffs, they fell one goal short of knocking the Carabins out of the playoffs as they lost 3-2 in overtime in Game Three of their best-of-three series, and it looked like Ottawa was going to be a force in 2023-24. They may still be that, but McKeough will be calling the shots now.

"This is a role that I will work my absolute hardest at to create an environment where players and staff can have a safe environment to develop and succeed," said McKeough. "I am humbled to take on this role and build upon the legacy of those who have worn the Garnet and Grey. I am thankful for the support of my family, the University, the program alumni, and the entire Gee-Gees community as we head into this next chapter."

This is an exciting time for the Ottawa Gee Gees women's hockey program. They're moving back to the OUA next season, they're an exceptional team with great recruits coming in, and they have a young, experienced, intelligent coach who will guide them on their path to a National Championship berth. McKeough's commitment to developing players will keep Ottawa in the hunt for the foreseeable future, and her experiences as a player and coach in the hockey world will be invaluable in teaching her players to be better players and exceptional people.

The fact that McKeough was named as head coach as a woman only makes the pool of female coaches deeper at the U SPORTS level with the likes of Caroline Ouellette and Julie Chu guiding Concordia, Carla MacLeod in charge of Calgary, and Sara Hilworth guiding the UNB Reds. We're seeing great female coaches make serious strides in the U SPORTS world, and I haven't even mentioned the likes of Sarah Hodges, Rachel Flanagan, or Vicky Sunohara. Seeing these women leading their programs should inspire the next generation of players to follow in their footsteps, and Stefanie McKeough appears to be the first wave of that next generation who will carry the torch high.

I'm excited to see what Stefabie McKeough can do in this opportunity. The Ottawa Gee Gees will certainly benefit from her guidance, and the hope is that she'll lead the team to a National Championship. While the last part is never guaranteed, McKeough will certainly give them a fighting chance, and that's something Ottawa hasn't had in a long, long time.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!