(Photo courtesy of BYU Photo)
(Photo courtesy of BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – After seeing a top-tier college basketball rivalry firsthand, Utah Hockey Club forward Liam O’Brien has sided with the BYU Cougars.
O’Brien attended BYU basketball’s senior night against the Utah Utes at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah on Saturday.
Spicy Tuna, big BYU 🏀 guy:
“Second ever college game I’ve ever been to. Other one was Ohio State. The one last night knocked it out of the park.”
“Basketball and BYU one-hundred percent…definitely a BYU basketball guy.”#UtahHC #BYUhoops https://t.co/DjtTb4Nilj pic.twitter.com/mJ89Xj3MoA
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 9, 2025
As is usually the case for the venue to host the rivalry, the Marriott Center was bumping last night.
O’Brien had high praise for the environment last night and shared that same sentiment at Utah’s morning skate on Sunday.
“Second ever college game I’ve ever been to,” O’Brien said. “The other one was Ohio State. The one last night knocked it out of the park. The chants, the environment, and just how passionate everyone was. It was super cool.”
Spicy Tuna on the environment at the Marriott Center:
“It’s unbelievable. We’ve got to get that student section at Delta Center. The energy in here is unreal.”https://t.co/uGGhr2ngUK
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 9, 2025
When asked about where his allegiance lies, O’Brien left it partially up to interpretation.
However, when it comes to basketball, he made it known that he’s a BYU fan through and through.
“When it comes to basketball, I’m BYU,” O’Brien said. “Trevin (Knell) was rocking my jersey. I met him last night, he seems like a cool dude. (I’m) definitely a BYU basketball guy.”
Funny enough, concessions may have played a role in his choice of fandom.
O’Brien tried a CougarTail at the game and even took a page out of Mitch Harper’s book with a review of the famous BYU snack. He went with the OG maple instead of branching out to the new Royal blueberry flavor.
Spicy Tuna tried a cougar tail for the first time 🍁😋
“I had the maple one. It was good…I’d give it like an eight (out of 10). It’s good. I like maple. I’m Canadian so, maple is big.”#UtahHC #BYUhoops pic.twitter.com/Nuhf1ZvSZr
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 9, 2025
“Everybody was like, ‘You’ve got to get a CougarTail,'” O’Brien said. “I had the maple one, I didnt have the blue one. It was good. I’d give it like an eight (out of 10). It’s good. I like maple. I’m Canadian so, maple is big.”
It didn’t take long for Utah hockey fans to fall in love with O’Brien.
At the NHL Welcome Party in Delta Center, he made an introduction that won’t be soon forgotten by the people of Utah.
O’Brien introduced himself with his nickname “Spicy Tuna” and got a great reaction from the Salt Lake crowd.
I think Liam O’Brien is in the early lead for Utah’s favorite player.#NHL #NHLinUtah #SpicyTuna @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/20YfLcVwmn
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) April 25, 2024
In 24 games played with the Utah Hockey Club this season, O’Brien has recorded two assists. However, his presence isn’t typically felt in the stat sheet, just ask anyone who’s dropped the gloves with him. His 48 penalty box minutes are a better reflection of his role in the NHL.
