Despite fighting cancer, Dave O'Hearn steadfastly led Methuen/Tewksbury girls' hockey. This week, he lost that battle.
'He was beaming with pride for his daughters,' said Methuen athletic director Tom Ryan. 'He was very proud of his kids.'
Sad day on Ranger Road, Methuen Red Rangers Girls Hockey Coach, Guidance Counselor and MHS Boys Hockey Famer Dave O'Hearn has passed away after his courageous battle with cancer. The services are TBD. They will be posted when we find out. May you rest in peace my friend.
— Tom Ryan (@MethuenHighAD)
Dubbed 'Mr. Methuen Hockey' by Ryan, O'Hearn's legacy as a player remains enshrined in the Methuen High School Hall of Fame. He logged the most minutes in program history, returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach in 2017. Two years ago,
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'His rink was like his refuge from his problems,' said Ryan. 'He enjoyed going to the rink because for that brief amount of time, it was about hockey, and the girls, and the team.'
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The locker room was infused with O'Hearn's courageous spirit. Despite his declining health, O'Hearn continued to show up to the rink, leading the Red Rangers to a 19-2-3 mark, clinching the team's first Merrimack Valley/Dual County Large title since 2019. Despite having just 15 players on the roster, the
The Red Rangers won 11 one-goal games. For his efforts, O'Hearn claimed
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Dave O'Hearn led Methuen/Tewksbury to the Division 1 semifinals despite having just 15 players on the roster.
Matthew Healey for The Boston Globe
'Obviously those things galvanize teams,' echoed Tewksbury athletic director Ron Drouin. 'I think they were able to draw a lot off of his courage and use that to their advantage.'
Former Methuen/Tewksbury coach Sarah Doucette called O'Hearn a great friend and her right hand behind the bench.
'I feel very lucky that I got to coach with him while I did,' said Doucette. 'He's super knowledgeable and a great role model for our athletes.'
O'Hearn navigated the task of merging two communities into one team. School indentities were left at the door in order to blend competitors into a family on the ice. He would break the ice with pregame dances in the locker room, unafraid to be himself. Once the puck dropped, he demanded 100 percent from his players..
💔Tough Day….. Methuen/Tewksbury Red Ranger Head Coach Dave O'Hearn lost his courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer….. thoughts and prayers with his Family. RIP Coach! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
— TMHS Athletics (@TMHS_Athletics)
A guidance counselor at Methuen High since 2017, O'Hearn spent more than 20 years at St. Ann's home. His professional work aided his passion for coaching, internalizing and understanding his players in order to form meaningful connections.
Even as his fight with cancer drained his energy, he spoke to his players with utmost sincerity and the media with candor — win or lose.
'I can't say enough about his courage — his integrity, who he is as a person, who he is as a father,' said Drouin.
In just two seasons as the head coach, Dave O'Hearn made a significant impact on the Methuen/Tewksbury girls' program.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
O'Hearn was well respected within coaching circles. His voice carried weight. The noted tactician turned the game into a chess match, altering forechecks and defensive systems depending on the opposition's tendencies.
'His legacy will go on to impact so many people,' said HPNA coach Gary Kane. 'He's going to be really missed.'
Thoughts and prayers with the Tewksbury & Methuen High Scool Girls Hockey community as Coach Dave O'Hearn, passed away after a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer at 47.. Class Act who will be missed by all ..
— SJP Hockey (@SJP_Hockey)
O'Hearn not only made his players better hockey players, but he taught them life lessons to become better people.
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'If you had Dave in your corner you were very lucky,' said Doucette. 'There was nothing he wouldn't do for you.'
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