Any construction manager (coach) knows a great wall begins with a solid foundation (strong family support), numerous building blocks (great coaching /clinics and mentorship) and strong mortar to hold it all together (teammates / team work).
It all started at Atom Thunder with a little girl’s dream and burning desire to play girls hockey.
In 2011 Coach Dan Shields asked Shannon O’Grady if she was willing to play goalie for the Atom Thunder team. Up for anything, she said she’d give it a try. The foundation was laid, the first building block was placed.
After a very successful inaugural regular season, O’Grady backstopped the team to a Provincial bronze medal winning in overtime. This was the first provincial medal in the history of Atom Thunder organization. The passion candle was lit.
In O’Grady’s second year, the Thunder executive allowed her to play one level up in Peewee nets even though she was still Atom eligible age.
This season would challenge the team, coaches and parents with only a few wins and a whole lot of 0-0 ties. Most of the games were close, within a one-goal spread. The team enjoyed some success at tournaments and despite the lack of wins, the girls stuck together, shared many happy memories and truly enjoyed the year. Sure winning is fun, but the girls understood there was more to the game. The mortar was holding the “wall” together.
O’Grady’s second year of Peewee was a smashing success, leading the league in wins and shutouts (34 shutouts).
The Peewees were crowned ODWHL Champions, and the opportunity to compete in the spring hockey AAA Championship to boot.
They were potentially a gold medal team but the ODWHL moved the team up a level to Double B for Provincial playdowns because of their successful regular season. Although the team competed hard, they were not able to qualify at the higher level of competition. No matter, “The Wall” was fortified by this point.
True to form and without complaint, O’Grady finished the year in acute pain, keeping the games close in Kingston at a Triple A tournament. Something was wrong and she knew it.
After numerous trips to CHEO, the diagnosis for this 11-year-old hockey player was double scoliosis requiring eight hours of major reconstructive back surgery. Two titanium rods had to be permanently fused to her spine.
Everything was in doubt, there were only questions, no answers. What if something went wrong in surgery? Would she able to walk normally again? Would she be able to play hockey again?
Would the “wall” come crumbling down after major surgery and reconstruction? The doctors insisted O’Grady take a year off from hockey to recover.
Despite the difficulty, sacrifice, and injury, she persevered and found the courage to continue her painful rehabilitation.
Instead of stopping goals for her team, O’Grady dreamed of allowing just one goal in — fire up the passion to play nets again.
O’Grady’s desire to be with her teammates kept her on track during her long painful recovery process. This young athlete wanted to play Thunder again. She wanted to prove to herself she was capable of playing competition hockey at a high level.
Fear of failure keeps many talented people from pursuing their dreams. This was never an option this young lady would consider.
Dedication is hard work, constant learning, teamwork, with the recovery specialists and refusing to quit. Each of these virtues is a function of desire.
O’Grady’s desire was to rebuild the “Wall” and make it solid once again.
The “Wall” may have been cracked, a few blocks loose, but she was not going to allow it to crumble!
Teamwork is also a virtue. In great teams the team covers for each individual’s weaknesses while it values and makes full use of each individual’s strengths. With teamwork, courage, dedication, desire, and goal setting, athletes, and as I’m sure you have gathered by now as anyone else, will be successful. As parents of young athletes our biggest roles should be in opportunity and support as our competitors learn to overcome the obstacles of sports and life.
O’Grady returned to form last year, her comeback year, battling for a spot on the Bantam A team.
She was successful and competed hard keeping the games close. She was able to add medals and shutouts to her extensive collection by backstopping the team to a gold medal in Barrie and leading them to Provincials once again.
Prior to tryouts this year when asked if she wanted to play “AA” girls in Kanata, O’Grady’s response was… “Why would I? There is good hockey here with Thunder and I get to play with my friends!””
Congratulation’s Shannon (Shea Shea) “The Wall” O’Grady, on your 100th career shutout and Bellville Bears Tournament Championship! The special day was Jan. 7, 2017 and the hockey player is now 15.
“You are truly an inspiration to your family, friends, and teammates and to anyone that now reads this incredible journey you have taken us on. We have been “Thunderstruck” by your amazing accomplishment!
“When we find ourselves doubting how far we can go, we just have to think about how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced. All the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome.”
O’Grady is the daughter of Lisa (Sheedy) and Marc O’Grady and lives in Laurentian Valley. She is the granddaughter of Jim and and the late Marie Sheedy. Jim Sheedy recently completed 42 years of municipal council, recently resigning his seat on Laurentian Valley council.
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