Rory Guilday

Quick Facts

• Position: Defender 
• Daughter of  Landon and Sarah Guilday
• In the seventh grade, she developed a brain tumor, resulting in her losing sight in her right eye.
• Hobbies include golf, camping and fishing

Biographical Information

Rory Guilday grew up in a suburb of downtown Minneapolis and started playing hockey at age 5. In seventh grade, Guilday developed a brain tumor, resulting in her losing sight in her right eye. Guilday recalls: “Very last day of seventh grade they’re like, you need to start chemotherapy because we don’t know want it to affect your other eye.”  She was sidelined from any contact sports for nearly a year and endured intensive chemotherapy.

Guilday regained lost muscle and balance and returned to skating, finishing off her high school career by winning the Herb Brooks Award in 2021, given annually to a Minnesota State tournament participant who strongly represents the values, characteristics, and traits that defined legendary hockey coach Herb Brooks. 

Guilday attended Cornell University, where she finished her career as a two-time First Team All-Ivy League player. She was selected in the first round (fifth overall) in the 2025 PWHL Draft by the Ottawa Charge.

Guilday made her debut for the U.S. women’s hockey team at the 2022 IIHF World Championships.

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2024 – silver (Team - Women)
• Years of participation: Team - Women 2022, 2023, 2024
• Medals: 3 (1 gold, 2 silver)
  • Gold – 2023 (Team - Women)
  • Silver – 2024 (Team - Women); 2022 (Team - Women)