ARLINGTON — Arlington Catholic is excited to announce Michelle Roach as the new head coach of the Cougars’ girls hockey program. Roach brings more than a decade of high school head coaching experience and a deep passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the ice.
From 2015 until accepting this position, Roach served as head coach of the Peabody High girls’ varsity hockey program, which co-oped with North Reading and Lynnfield. During her tenure, she compiled an impressive 139-59-13 record, led the team to five Northeastern Conference championships (2019-2021, 2024-2025), and earned multiple Coach of the Year honors from the MIAA, Northeastern Conference, and local media outlets.
Under her leadership, the program rose to and maintained a top-10 ranking among Division 1 girls’ hockey programs in Massachusetts across the past several seasons, captured the first conference title in program history in both hockey and lacrosse, and cultivated a strong culture of teamwork, sportsmanship, and growth.
A graduate of St. Michael’s College, Roach played NCAA Division II women’s hockey and was a standout at St. Mary’s of Lynn, where she captained the inaugural girls’ varsity team in 2001-02. She later returned to St. Mary’s as an assistant coach for five seasons, contributing to a state championship run and an extraordinary 101-game unbeaten streak. In recognition of her exceptional contributions as a player, she was inducted into the St. Mary’s Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.
Beyond the rink, Roach is also a decorated high school girls’ lacrosse coach, with more than 50 wins, multiple conference titles, and a reputation for building resilient, high-performing teams. She was awarded the 2025 USA Hockey Level 5 Coaching Symposium Scholarship, a national honor recognizing her leadership and dedication to the game, and was recently selected for the NHL Coaches’ Association Female Coaches Program.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle to our athletic program,” said Athletic Director Dan Shine. “She has a proven ability to connect with student-athletes, build strong team chemistry, and foster a competitive yet supportive environment. Her experience and vision will help take our girls’ hockey program to the next level.”
Roach expressed her excitement about joining the Arlington Catholic community:
“Arlington Catholic has a proud tradition of excellence, both academically and athletically, and I am honored to lead the Cougars girls’ hockey program into its next chapter. My goal is to create an environment where student-athletes are challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential on the ice, in the classroom, and in life.”
The Cougars open their season Dec. 2 with high anticipation under Roach’s leadership.
