BOSTON – A few minutes after the Methuen/Tewksbury girls’ hockey team celebrated on the T.D. Garden as the Div. 1 state champions on Sunday, the team’s three captains were answering questions from a large contingent of reporters.
Coach Ryan Sheehy looked on, and when it was his turn to go in front of the microphones, Tewksbury High Athletic Director Ron Drouin walked by and joked, “Maybe the Methuen High Athletic Director (Tom Ryan) will now remove the interim tag from Ryan.”
Tom Ryan, who had two daughters on the team, jokingly replied, “We’ll see what we can do.”
On Sept. 18, 2025, Sheehy was named interim coach of the Red Rangers, replacing former head coach Dave O’Hearn, who had passed away after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer on July 29.
Sheehy – who had been an assistant the previous four years after playing high school hockey at Lowell High and serving as an official for six years – was put in an extremely tough position.
Not only was this his first head coaching gig, but he was taking over a roster that was not only extremely talented but also filled with broken hearts.
O’Hearn was a popular and well-respected coach who made an immeasurable impact on his student-athletes.
Before the team opened the 2025-’26 season, Sheehy said that he had mixed feelings about taking over.
He knew it would be a difficult challenge for him and the players to grieve while also setting their minds on hockey, on each other, and on a goal of becoming state champions.
The mixed feelings of joy and sadness were still the case when the co-op Red Rangers shut out Archbishop Williams, 2-0 to become not only the D1 state champions, but the only team in the state to finish unbeaten at 23-0-2.
“Dave wasn’t just my boss; he was my friend. Obviously, I love hockey and wanted to be back with this group and keep coaching. But knowing he wasn’t going to be here sucked,” said Sheehy.
“It was hard. I tried to pay a lot of attention last year because, unfortunately, I knew (his passing) was coming. I tried to pay close attention and asked him many questions. I took a back seat and wanted to make sure I remembered what he wanted done, what he did, and all of that, and hopefully do a good job,” Sheehy added.
Sheehy didn’t just do a good job; he did a masterful job, says Tom Ryan.
“I felt pretty good about letting Ryan lead the ship this year because he had done well last year, filling in for a few games while Dave was sick,” said Tom Ryan. “I felt like Ryan could seamlessly come in and do fine. I think the girls, after Dave’s passing, needed some familiarity with the coaching staff. Retaining Ryan was an important part of my role as Athletic Director, so the girls felt as comfortable as possible.
“Ryan has a really calm demeanor, and that really suited him to coaching these girls this season,” continued Tom Ryan. “It was really a perfect match. He has an awesome mix of hockey knowledge and that calm demeanor, and does not overreact to things, whereas some coaches are screamers and yellers. That wasn’t going to work for this team. He’s not like that. His strength was his knowledge of hockey, which is incredible.”
Sheehy didn’t do it alone. Former Red Rangers’ defenseman Brenna Greene, a key part of the 2019 state championship team and later a standout at Salem State, was added as an assistant coach. She worked with the defense, which allowed just 12 goals in 25 games, while Sheehy continued to work with the forwards.
“Brenna did an incredible job this season, and I can’t thank her enough,” said Sheehy. “She literally helped establish our traditions, standards, and culture, and made sure we still hold on to them today. Her knowledge of hockey had a huge impact on our success. She is fiercely dedicated, compassionate, and understanding, and has built a strong bond of trust with the girls right away.”
Quickly into the winter season, the two AD’s realized that Sheehy and Greene were the right combination.
“The two of them really meshed well together,” said Tom Ryan. “It became evident early in the season that Ronnie Drouin and I kind of stumbled upon a good match with the two coaches here. We felt really good that the team was heading in the right direction.”
Tom Ryan added that, yes, the interim tag will be removed, and the Red Rangers will move forward with Sheehy as the program’s fifth coach.
“Once the dust settles, Ryan and I will meet and discuss what he sees as the pros and cons, and what I see as the pros and cons of this past season, “ said Tom Ryan. “I can’t imagine we’re going to move forward with anyone other than Ryan.”