After falling short in the Elite League title race last season, the Cardiff Devils have made a huge statement of intent with the signing of prolific forward Zach O’Brien.
The Canadian’s Elite League switch was confirmed on Friday [24 May], with the 31-year-old becoming the sixth player to commit to the Devils for the season ahead.
O’Brien arrives at the Vindico Arena following a successful campaign with the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers, tallying 60 points (21 goals, 39 assists ) in 54 appearances after his mid-season switch from Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga.
“Zach is a high-end offensive talent and will be a force in this league,” Cardiff head coach Pete Russell said.
“He has been one of the top scorers in the ECHL the last few years and was a fan favourite with his hometown team. He has an ability to make those players around him better and besides his skill, he brings a winning mentality and leadership to this team.”
Zach O’Brien, now of the Cardiff Devils (Image: Newfoundland Growlers)
O’Brien boasts a wealth of experience in North America, with 113 points (42 goals, 71 assists) in 238 American Hockey League appearances and 382 points (141 assists, 241 assists) in 309 ECHL appearances.
The St. John’s-native tasted postseason success in both competitions, winning the AHL’s Calder Cup with the Manchester Monarchs, before lifting the ECHL’s Kelly Cup as the postseason’s most-valuable player.
Analysis: Cardiff Devils forward Zach O’Brien is worth the hype
Zach O’Brien is a marquee signing for the Cardiff Devils, who approach the new season hoping to topple the treble-winning Sheffield Steelers.
Related: Team GB forward Brett Perlini joins Elite League’s Cardiff Devils
The Canadian is a tempo-setting playmaker, with a proven track record of propelling his teams to championship success.
Known for his skating ability and intelligence on the puck, O’Brien is a lock for top-line deployment in Cardiff and will also figure into Pete Russell’s powerplay plans.
O’Brien’s play remained at a high level through his late twenties, producing at a point-per-game rate in each of the last six seasons.
There’s no doubt – the Cardiff Devils mean business.
