Bridget O’Brien enters her third year as an assistant coach on Taylor Wasylk’s women’s ice hockey coaching staff in 2021-22.

O’Brien’s first year as an assistant coach saw Suffolk make its way into the NEHC postseason for the second time in as many years and the program’s existence despite a slow start. 

The Rams’ 8-7-1 league ledger was good for the sixth seed in playoffs. The blue-and-gold would go on to upset the third-seed Johnson & Wales, 2-0, in the quarterfinals, and fourth-seed Southern Maine, 2-1, in the semis to reach the championship contest for the first time in program history.  

Even though the blue-and-gold lit the lamp first in the title tilt at conference powerhouse No. 7 Norwich, the Cadets clinched the trophy behind eight unanswered markers to end Suffolk’s season at 10-15-3 overall. 

Grace Scholz became the first skater to garner NEHC All-Tournament recognition behind her two-point playoff performance. She was one of four Rams acknowledged by the league as Maddy Burton and Shana Cote garnered spots on the conference’s third team, while Julia McLellan picked up an All-NEHC Rookie Team nod. 

O’Brien’s second season was much different than her first. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Suffolk’s third varsity, which was anticipated to be its first in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), was abbreviated to an eight-game non-conference calendar. In those outings, which spanned four weeks, the Rams went 2-6. 

The highlight of the 2020-21 shortened season came one, when Suffolk captured its first-ever season-opening win by defeating Nichols, 5-3, Feb. 26, 2021.

Wasylk gave O’Brien her first collegiate coaching gig. Prior to standing on the Rams’ bench she led the Parkway U-14 girl’s ice hockey team for two seasons and went on to work with the Glimour Academy girl’s hockey team from 2016-17. 

O’Brien’s coaching career came after four years of playing at Southern Maine. In 83 appearances with the Huskies, the forward notched six goals and eight assists. O’Brien lined up on the lacrosse field as well while in Gorham, Maine. She played in nine games for USM over one season and scooped up one ground ball. 

A 2014 graduate from Southern Maine, O’Brien earned a Bachelors Degree in Communication & Media Studies, with minors in marketing and athletic coaching. Academically, O’Brien was recognized as a William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete all four years at USM. 

The Boston, Massachusetts native first applied her trade at Fontbonne Academy, earning four varsity letters in ice hockey.