Chelsey Greenwood makes history with Lindsay Muskies coaching role

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: The Lindsay Muskies have made a groundbreaking addition to their coaching staff, hiring Chelsey Greenwood as an assistant coach, for the upcoming 2025-26 Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) season. Greenwood becomes the first female coach in the league’s history, marking a milestone, not only for the Muskies but for junior hockey across Ontario.

A former standout forward, at Liberty University, Chelsey Greenwood was part of the Lady Flames’ first two American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division I National Championship teams, in 2015 and 2018. She now brings her championship pedigree and passion for coaching to the Muskies bench, joining, Head Coach, Brendan O’Grady’s staff.

“I am super, super grateful and appreciative they’re even giving me this opportunity,” Greenwood said. “I’ve always dreamed of being the first at something, and I am grateful God gave me the chance to do something like this.”

The Muskies lauded her hiring on social media, calling her a “true hockey nerd, who lives and breathes the game,” and praised her insight, experience, and winning background. “She will bring new insights to the pond,” the team said. “Our players are going to benefit greatly.”

Greenwood’s path to the OJHL coaching ranks has been shaped by an impressive roster of mentors. At Liberty, she was recruited by Paul Bloomfield, who she credits for taking a chance on her, after a torn ACL threatened her career. “Paul Bloomfield is the reason I even went to Liberty,” she said. “He did a really good job of pouring into us, as hockey players and as young women.”

Chelsey has continued to develop her coaching skills since graduating, leading girls’ teams in her hometown of Brampton and working with Olympic gold medalist Cheryl Pounder, whom she called a “coaching mentor and a really good friend.” She also credits Reagan O’Grady, Lindsay’s director of player development, as a key influence.

Last season, Greenwood served as a scout and special advisor with the Muskies, while also acting as head coach of the Mississauga Hurricanes U18 AA women’s team, a role she’ll continue alongside her new position. “This year is going to be crazy,” she admitted, “but it’s an opportunity in my coaching career which, at this time, I couldn’t really say ‘No’ to.”

While Greenwood acknowledges the differences between coaching men’s and women’s hockey, she sees her experience across both as a strength. “It helps to give me a different lens and perspective and makes me a better coach, and better at bench management.”

She aims to focus on communication and player development with the Muskies. “My superpower, this year, is going to be my communication piece, providing individual feedback with players in games and practices, and also helping out with special teams,” she said.

As a player, Ms. Greenwood was known for her drive to the net and her knack for “garbage goals,” but as a coach, she wants to help players refine their own individual skill sets.

“At this age, they all have their own style of play, and my job is to elevate what they do best,” she said. “If they’re a playmaker or a skater, they need a little bit of everything, and finding ways to put all of those pieces together.”

Ms. Greenwood’s historic hiring not only enhances the Muskies’ bench but signals a new chapter for the OJHL, one where barriers are being broken, and the game continues to progress going forward.