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O'Grady is the Energy Loyola Gold Needs

By Angie Wiatrowski - @AngieWiatrowski, 01/07/15, 9:15PM CST

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Strength, energy and hard work are only a few things that Danny O'Grady has brought to the Loyola Gold hockey team. With two seniors leading the way his sophomore year, the junior forward is now getting more comfortable in his skates and "learning his role" as coach DJ LaVarre says. 

"[O'Grady] had two seniors helping him out last year and now all of a sudden he's one of our top returning guys in a different role," LaVarre said. "What Danny brings to the table is energy. It's all about energy, he's the guy. He's the one that keeps things going." 

It all started when O'Grady's dad gave him a pair of skates at five-years-old. "I always loved getting out on the ice and my dad taught me how to skate," he said. "He coached me in the first team I played on and he made me fall in love with the game and I still love it now."

O'Grady has seen some improvements over the years and being an All-Star on the Maroon team gave him the confidence for Gold. 

"That's when I really knew I had a shot," he said about being an All-Star. "I made it to Gold and I was on the fourth line and I was just grinding out and coach just kept telling me to keep going keep going, you'll get your shot and I did,I got my shot."

LaVarre sees great improvement in O'Grady as well. 

"We try to tell him don't worry about stick handling, don't worry about this, you make things happen by how hard you work," LaVarre said. "Keep moving your feet, get in those corners, keep making things happen and Danny brings that energy, that enthusiasm and not only is that important for him because it makes him a better hockey player but we told him it also makes us a better hockey team."

What O'Grady has his sights set on next is that 'C' on his sweater. What does he think he needs to do become the next Rambler captain?

"Keep playing my game, lead by example," he said. "And just always know what to do."

As for LaVarre, he believes O'Grady can push himself to that level.

"He's the energy guy, he's the guy that keeps things going," he said. "He does the little things that people may not want to do and that's what we need from him and for us to be successful."

 

 

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