Liam O’Brien took great advantage of last years Development Camp, ultimately garnering a spot on the opening roster for the Washington Capitals. O’Brien, who went undrafted, received a training camp invite from the Capitals in 2014, and made the team, earning himself a three-year entry-level contract on October 6, 2014. O’Brien, the 20 year-old Center, played in 13 games for the Capitals, before being sent down to Hershey.
O’Brien became a fan favorite pretty quickly in 2014, ultimately being designated as the third “Bash Brother”, along side core members, Tom Wilson and Michael Latta. O’Brien also gained the approval of fans with his gritty play on the ice. At one point last season, he even gave a tongue-wag to NHL tough guy John Scott.
As far as O’Brien’s play is concerned, Hockey’s Future notes “Long-term O’Brien does not appear to have a huge upside in terms of offensive ability. His calling card will likely be his hustle, hard work in tough areas, and ability to stand up for teammates when called upon to do so.”
This years Development Camp will be a key step in O’Brien’s quest to return to the Capitals roster. O’Brien’s best shot would be to position himself in an alternate position for the 4C position. Most likely he will return to Hershey, but he needs to be ready if and when an injury may occur.
