11 Facts About Bill O'Flaherty

Bill O'Flaherty is a Canadian ice hockey player, coach and executive.

Bill O'Flaherty was the head coach of Clarkson for six years before moving on to become the school's Athletic director, compiling one of the highest winning percentages in the history of college hockey.

Bill O'Flaherty began attending Clarkson in 1967, playing under legendary coach Len Ceglarski for two full seasons and graduating in 1971 with a bachelor's in Humanities.

Bill O'Flaherty remained as an assistant until York himself left to take over at Bowling Green and Bill O'Flaherty was chosen as his successor.

Bill O'Flaherty had immediate and consistent success with the Golden Knights, winning 21 games in his first season and continuing that trend for his entire tenure.

In six seasons behind the bench Bill O'Flaherty provided five 20-win seasons, 6 winning records, 3 NCAA tournament berths, and 2 conference regular season titles.

Bill O'Flaherty was awarded the Spencer Penrose Award in 1981 for prompting Clarkson to a superb season, the fourth consecutive coach at Clarkson to earn the honour.

Bill O'Flaherty moved into the front office, assuming the sole duties as Clarkson's Athletic Director in 1986 and remaining at that post until 1997 when he jumped to the NHL to serve as Director of Player Personnel for the Los Angeles Kings.

Bill O'Flaherty joined the staff of the Pittsburgh Penguins as professional scout for one season before becoming the Director of Pro Scouting for the Florida Panthers, remaining there until 2010.

Bill is the son of former NHLer John "Peanuts" O'Flaherty who spent most of his career in the minor leagues for the Pittsburgh Hornets.

Bill's brother Gerry O'Flaherty was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1970 and spent parts of 8 seasons in the NHL as a player, eventually winning 3 Stanley Cups as a scout.