SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – Spicy Tuna is back. After making a big splash at the fan celebration a couple months ago, forward Liam O’Brien agreed to a three-year deal with the Utah Hockey Club Wednesday.
“We are very pleased to sign Liam to a three-year contract,” said Utah Hockey Club General Manager Bill Armstrong. “He adds energy, grit and physical presence to the line-up every night that will greatly complement the excitement we expect from Utah hockey fans, especially in our inaugural season. We look forward to having Liam on our roster for the next several seasons.”
The 29-year-old O’Brien registered 5-9-14 and 153 penalty minutes (PIM) in 75 games with the Arizona Coyotes in 2023-24, all of which are new career-highs. He also led the team with 229 hits which tied for the 14th-most among NHL forwards. a
At the fan celebration at the Delta Center, O’Brien took the microphone and revved up the crowd into a frenzy when he screamed, “I cannot wait to get this place buzzing! Let’s go!”
In 2022-23, the Halifax, Nova Scotia native recorded 3-8-11 and 114 PIM in 56 games with the Coyotes, also finishing second on the team with 203 hits.
During O’Brien’s first season with the Coyotes in 2021-22, he tallied 2-1-3 and 106 PIM in 39 games and was named the Coyotes winner of the Jukka Nieminen Trophy which was given yearly to the club’s hardest working player.
The 6-foot-1, 213-pound O’Brien has recorded 11-22-33 and 441 PIM in 199 career NHL games with the Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche and Washington Capitals.
O’Brien has also collected 67-78-145 and 653 PIM in 382 career AHL contests.
