SALT LAKE CITY – Utah hockey club signed fan-favorite Liam O’Brien (also known as Spicy Tuna) to a three-year deal, the club announced Wednesday.

O’Brien stole the hearts of Utah fans upon their first meeting at the Delta Center this Spring. He told fans if they kept showing up, he’d “run through a wall” for them.

“Spicy Tuna” Liam O’Brien @OfficialBigTuna signs a three-year deal with @utahhockeyclub. #UtahHC @kslsports pic.twitter.com/cVf3mdZ7oL

— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) June 26, 2024

Per club policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“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.”

Shortly after O’Brien’s deal was announced, the center spoke with the media and shared excitement about his future in Utah.

“Super excited to be bringing my family to Utah. A really good place to have a family,” O’Brien told KSL Sports.

"Super excited to be bringing my family to Utah. A really good place to have a family." – @OfficialBigTuna on signing a three-year deal with @utahhockeyclub

📰: https://t.co/5PVmDWmujV#UtahHC
📷: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/G6svUti8zI

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 26, 2024

Despite signing a multi-year deal, O’Brien said he wants to “continue to grow as a player.” Since the team’s transition from Arizona to Utah, O’Brien said “ownership-wise, everything has been top notch and that’s been really refreshing for us as players.”

“I love this game. I love going to the rink. I love being around my teammates. It’s the best job in the world. We are privileged to be able to do what we do,” the center added. “There’s just nothing else in the world that I’d rather be doing than being able to go to the rink and compete and try to win a Stanley Cup.”

RELATED: Utah Hockey’s Liam O’Brien Announces Birth Of Daughter

About Liam O’Brien

O’Brien, a 29-year-old forward from Nova Scotia, 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.

Earlier this year, O’Brien took to Instagram to announce the birth of his daughter.

 

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A post shared by Liam O’Brien (@official_big_tuna)

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