SALT LAKE CITY – After capturing the attention of Utah Hockey Club fans at a meet the team event in the spring, this season hasn’t exactly gone as planned for Liam O’Brien. With only three appearances in 35 games this season, many of those same fans are wondering, where is “Spicy Tuna” and why hasn’t he been playing?
First off, let’s address the reason that O’Brien hasn’t been playing much this season.
In the NHL, teams are allowed a total roster of 23 players. However, on game days, that roster is trimmed down to 20 which means three skaters are deemed as extra healthy scratches and do not dress.
Generally, those healthy scratches remain fairly consistent except when injuries occur and require one of those players, like O’Brien, to be inserted into the lineup.
Last year in Arizona, the Coyotes experienced a handful of injuries which placed O’Brien onto the game day roster 75 times.
This season, O’Brien has consistently been one of those healthy scratches nearly every night due to the fact that Utah’s forwards have simply remained healthy.
“I don’t want to jinx anything but to have 35 games without one game missed up front, that’s something. Knock on wood, I don’t want anything to change,” head coach Andre Tourigny said.
“But the way he [O’Brien] handles it, a guy who was in the lineup every night, who can be and should be in the lineup every night in the NHL, he’s giving the best example he can to everybody around the team.”
But what about rotating him in occasionally?
According to Tourigny, he’s not a big believer in rotation and prefers a philosophy of allowing players some lenience if they have one bad performance rather than punishing them with a rotation.
So, based on what he’s seen from Utah’s current forwards, Tourigny hasn’t felt inclined to rotate anybody out.
“I don’t like rotation,” Tourigny said. “I think you should have the motivation of, if I play well, I will keep my job. And if I don’t play well one game, it should not cost me my job unless I am on really thin ice. It’s a tough place to be. I want our players to be in a safe zone where they feel trusted…”
While being a healthy scratch every night isn’t an easy task for anybody and the desire is to be on the ice, O’Brien has responded with the utmost class.
He understands his role on the team, has brought the same energy regardless, is willing to do whatever is asked of him and is staying ready in case he is called upon.
“I understand what my role is, and I think that’s important. I know when that opportunity comes, I’ll be ready. I know the type of player I am, the type of person I am and the impact I have on the team. So, I just try to come in and bring that same attitude,” O’Brien explained.
“Even if some days, you wish you were playing, right? You always want to be playing…but when you’re not, you got to make sure you’re bringing the right energy and that’s what I do.”
Liam O’Brien on his role this season: “I understand what my role is and I think that’s important. I know when that opportunity comes, I’ll be ready…you always want to be playing…but when you’re not, you got to make sure you’re bringing the right energy.”
Class act. pic.twitter.com/smkfkpXzl9
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
So, while O’Brien waits for his chance, his message to the fans is to be patient and stay ready. That’s his mindset this season and he’s committed to bring as much energy as possible once he takes the ice again.
“Just staying ready and waiting for that opportunity. We’ve been really healthy and that’s a good thing…when that opportunity comes, be ready to go,” O’Brien said.
“Just stay patient,” he added. “I’ll get out there.”
The Utah Hockey Club will travel to Seattle to take on the Kraken on Monday night. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
