5th year center Zach O’Brien(36) takes a season split in Germany with Ravensburg Towerstars, where he scored 6 goals, 6 assists and a +4 rating to signing with Wichita Thunder putting in 9 goals and 18 assists in 32 ECHL games but had a horrible -21 on a team that was far from the playoff picture and signs with Bakersfield Condors for 2017/2018.
He played only 1 AHL game last season on loan to Binghamton Senators but did get a goal and left with a +1 rating.
The 25-year old has been a pretty consistent scorer but still hasn’t popped on the score sheet like he did in junior hockey.
Maybe that breakout season is this one.
Zach O’Brien (92)
4th year right wing Zach O’Brien(92) decided it was time to find a new hockey home heading into the 2016/2017 and signed a one-year deal to join Ravensburg Towerstars of DEL2.
In his German debut he notched a first assist in what should be a high scoring campaign for the former leading scorer in juniors.
Under contract with Manchester Monarchs for his sophomore campaign, he would be an integral part of the team that won the 2015 Calder Cup Championship.
He recorded career bests putting up 14 goals and 32 points in 62 AHL games, then grabbed another 9 points (3-6) in 19 playoff contests to help seal the title.
For his third pro year the unrestricted free agent decided to explore quickly agreeing to a contract with Chicago Wolves.
His point totals fell to only 19, which was probably why the still fairly young 24-year old decided to split for another land.
If he can do well in this second tier level look for him to jump up where he is or continue exploring better leagues either in the same country or elsewhere.
Zach O’Brien(10) Manchester Monarchs
Super-mini, undrafted rookie right wing Zach O’Brien(10) has to be enjoying his first season pro.
After three seasons in the QMJHL with Acadie-Bathurst Titan, where he led the league in goals and points as a rookie then pulled off another goal scoring title the next year with 50 tallies and 101 points. He slumped in his final campaign with only 92.
The possibly overlooked 5’9″ 178 lbs. forward was invited to attend his hometown minor league club, St. John’s IceCaps‘ training camp after playing one game on an ato at the end of the previous season.
He didn’t stick and was reassigned to Ontario Reign to start the season despite being under some kind of vague contract.
He skated in 5 ECHL games scoring a quick pair of goals and assists.
One month into the 2013/2014 season and Manchester Monarchs come knocking and were able to sign him to a pto that is now 28 AHL games in.
With 6 goals, 8 assists and +6 rating to go along with his tenacious play, it looks like he’s a lock to stick.