Shane O'Brien (ice hockey)

Lore & Background

O'Brien played major junior in the Ontario Hockey League before being drafted by Anaheim. He began his professional career with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Portland Pirates of the AHL, leading all AHL defencemen in scoring during the 2006 Calder Cup playoffs with six goals and 22 points in 19 games. He was re-signed by the Ducks to a one-year contract on August 3, 2006. O'Brien made his NHL debut against the Los Angeles Kings on October 6, 2006, and scored his first NHL goal later that month against Dominik Hašek in a 4–1 win over the Detroit Red Wings, completing a Gordie Howe hat trick with an assist and a fight against Brad Norton. On November 8, he recorded a goal and two assists against the Vancouver Canucks. At the trade deadline on February 24, 2007, he was traded with a third-round draft pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning for goaltender Gerald Coleman and a first-round pick. He had established himself as a fighter, ranked fifth in the league in fights with 12 at the time of the trade. He made his NHL playoff debut with the Lightning on April 12.

Reader's Guide

Shane O'Brien's career spanned nine NHL seasons, beginning with the Anaheim Ducks who drafted him in the 2003 entry draft. After a strong AHL playoff performance, he debuted in the NHL in 2006 and quickly became known for his physical play, ranking among league leaders in fights during his rookie season. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2007 trade deadline, then to the Vancouver Canucks in 2008. In Vancouver, he was involved in a post-game altercation that resulted in a fine, and later was suspended one game for poking an opponent with his stick. He also sat out three games for disciplinary reasons after arriving late to practice. O'Brien later played for the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche, where he matched a career high in assists and finished second on the team in penalty minutes. He was traded to the Calgary Flames in 2013, placed on waivers, and later bought out. After a professional tryout with the Florida Panthers, he signed a one-year contract. He returned to the Anaheim Ducks organization in 2015 on a two-way contract but spent the season with their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. He finished his career playing in Finland and Austria.

Did You Know?

• O'Brien was drafted 250th overall by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 2003 NHL entry draft.
• He scored a Gordie Howe hat trick in his first NHL goal game against the Detroit Red Wings.
• He was suspended one game for poking Rangers forward Sean Avery with his stick across the benches.