UVM Hockey Family Rallies Around Roger Grillo: Former Catamounts Coach Fighting Cancer
Grillo served as an assistant coach under head coach Mike Gilligan at the University of Vermont from 1993 to 1997, a period that coincided with Martin St. Louis’s playing career as a Catamount.
Vermont Connection Runs Deep
Roger Grillo’s impact on Vermont hockey extends far beyond the rink at Gutterson Fieldhouse. The 61-year-old coaching consultant for the Montreal Canadiens, who is now battling cancer, helped shape the program during a pivotal era for University of Vermont hockey.
According to a report published Saturday, November 8, 2025 by Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette, the Canadiens organization announced that Grillo has been diagnosed with cancer. “The Canadiens organization learned in the past weeks that coach consultant Roger Grillo is battling cancer,” the team stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleague and our friend. We stand with him and his loved ones during his fight. We fight for Roger.”
The UVM Years
Grillo served as an assistant coach under head coach Mike Gilligan at the University of Vermont from 1993 to 1997, a period that coincided with Martin St. Louis’s playing career as a Catamount. That connection would prove lasting—St. Louis is now the head coach of the Canadiens, and he brought Grillo onto his staff last September as a coaching consultant for the 2024-25 season.
“Rog, obviously, he’s been a great resource and I’ve used Rog my whole life and to have him on the day-to-day it’s been big,” St. Louis told reporters Saturday morning at the Bell Centre, as reported by the Montreal Gazette.
Beyond Burlington
After St. Louis’s final season at Vermont in 1996-97, Grillo moved on to Brown University, where he served as head coach for 12 seasons until 2008-09. The Montreal Gazette reports that he then joined USA Hockey as a regional manager of the American Development Model in 2009, eventually becoming director of player development in 2022.
Throughout his career, Grillo has been a significant figure in American hockey development, coaching at USA Hockey player development camps and lecturing at coaching clinics. He served as head coach of the 2006 and 2007 U.S. Under-18 Select teams at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and was president of the American Hockey Coaches Association from 2003-05.
‘The Jar That Holds It All Together’
St. Louis explained Grillo’s role with the Canadiens in terms that speak to his organizational wisdom and experience. “We have a young staff so Roger’s an older guy and has a lot of wisdom,” St. Louis said, according to the Montreal Gazette article published Saturday. “I feel Roger is kind of the jar that holds that...kind of keeps it all together.”
The Canadiens coach also acknowledged the personal nature of Grillo’s battle. “He took some time away for obvious reasons and now there’s a plan in front of him,” St. Louis told reporters. “We’re glad to have him here for the time being, but I think he’s going to be in and out a little bit. But we’re thinking of him. Stuff like that is real, sometimes it hits closer. I’ve gone through it with my dad, now one of my best friends. You’re there to support him and it’s just part of life.”
Vermont Hockey Community Responds
The news resonates particularly deeply in Vermont, where Grillo helped build the foundation for UVM hockey’s continued success. His years working alongside Mike Gilligan and developing players like Martin St. Louis established connections that have endured for nearly three decades.
Source: This story is based on reporting by Stu Cowan, Montreal Gazette, published November 8, 2025. Follow Stu Cowan on X (formerly Twitter) @StuCowan1 or email scowan@postmedia.com