Before getting into coaching, Mara had a long career in the NHL. A seventh overall draft pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, Mara played in 734 NHL games and produced 253 points with a total of six franchises. During the 2005-06 season, Mara led all defensemen on the Phoenix Coyotes with a career high 47 points. Additionally, Mara played in three IIHF World Junior Championships from 1997-1999 and won a bronze medal with TEAM USA during the 200 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
Mara’s coaching career includes serving as the assistant coach of the USA National Women’s Team since 2016. In 2018, he helped guide Team USA to an Olympic Gold Medal. This is Mara’s second season as the head coach of the Boston Pride. Last year, in his first season, the Pride finished the regular season with a 16-11-5 record and a third place finish before losing in the semifinals of the Isobel Cup playoffs under his leadership.