After a breakout AHL campaign with 2015 Calder Cup Champions Manchester Monarchs‘ right wing Brian O’Neill(20) was looking to take the next step up in his 4th pro season under contract with Los Angeles Kings.
The small forward played a career high 73 games posting a league best 58 assists and 80 points with a +30 rating before adding another 10 goals and 10 assists in 19 playoff contests on the way to securing the league title.
Heading into the final campaign of his 2-year extension he would have a good training camp but probably because of his size found himself reassigned to the farm team once again, which very likely had him asking for a trade to a team that he could explore futhrth playing possibilities.
New Jersey Devils took that option and he would start the 2015/2016 on the parent club roster, staying for a couple of months recording his first two assists in 20 NHL games before being dispatched to Albany Devils.
He would continue his torrid scoring pace in the minors getting 13 tallies and 19 helpers in 42 games before helping them to game 7 of the second round of the postseason before being eliminated.
The unrestricted free agent has likely done all he can in North America at this point and leaves to join Jokerit of the KHL.
He’ll turned 28-years old in the off-season and should continue to find his footing overseas.
Brian O’Neill(23) Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings‘ 2nd year, undrafted right wing Brian O’Neill(23) signed his qualifying offer to stay in the team’s prospect system for another season.
As a rookie, he skated in 49 games with their AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs scoring 3 goals and 12 assists. He also appeared in all four playoff games, recording another tally.
He had joined the team on an ato after finishing up four years with Yale Bulldogs. In 12 games he had a goal and an assist and added another helper in the 2012 playoffs.
The 5’9″ 170 lbs. forward finished up his college playing career as a 1.18 point per game player and was named team captain in his final year.
They will definitely be looking for the small winger to step up his game in the upcoming campaign as they know he connect on the score sheet.