Where is Utah Hockey Club’s Spicy Tuna?

Liam O’Brien was responsible for one of the loudest cheers in Utah Hockey Club’s brief history.

When the team made its first appearance at Delta Center last spring, O’Brien grabbed the mic and hyped the crowd into a frenzy.

“I cannot wait to get this place buzzing!” he screamed.

But following that fiery introduction to the base, O’Brien has had little time in front of his ever-loyal followers who continue to ask: “Where is Spicy Tuna?”

The forward has earned his keep in the league due to his unwavering passion and physicality when called upon.

However, O’Brien has only gotten the lineup nod for three games this season; Utah has played 25.

“I’m a competitive guy, I want to play. There’s no question that I want to play,” O’Brien said recently. “But this is a team game. In order for us to be successful, me coming into the locker room with a bad attitude is not going to help us.”

O’Brien, now 30 years old and in his eighth season of professional hockey, can see the bigger picture. It has helped him stay positive during a stretch where he hasn’t had game action since Oct. 28.

O’Brien’s absence from the nightly lineup is not for lack of talent, but rather, lack of space. And that is a good thing for Utah.

While Nick Bjugstad — who made his season debut on Oct. 26 — missed the beginning of the year due to injury, Utah’s forward group has not suffered any loss in players since. At the quarter-mark of the season, Utah has maintained a wholly healthy four-line rotation which, in hand, has added to its offensive depth.

“It’s tough to talk about it without wanting to jinx everything, but it’s pretty rare that you have a group of forwards as healthy as we’ve had since the start,” head coach André Tourigny said.

Kevin Stenlund’s arrival, and somewhat permanent slotting, on the fourth line and Bjugstad filling in the gap on the third line between Matias Maccelli and Lawson Crouse have locked in Utah’s bottom six as of now. O’Brien and Michael Carcone traded spots on the fourth-line wing at the beginning of the season, but it seems Carcone — who has more of a scoring flair that the team is trying to kickstart — has claimed the role.

All of that has O’Brien on the outside looking in.

“There’s a part of the human being that feels bad for him because, like I said, he should be a guy that aspires to play every night in the NHL,” Tourigny said. “He’s been really good for us in the past. We have strong belief in him — what he brings to the team with physicality, toughness and his intensity is intangible.”

Last season in Arizona, O’Brien skated in 75 of 82 games and had 14 points (five goals, nine assists). The forward played in 48 consecutive games to start the year and did not sit out until Feb. 8. The team, evidently, had a greater use for him with its previous roster construction and needs.

Nonetheless, O’Brien is prepared to support Utah in any way he can in his current position.

“I think my role overall is to bring energy whether that’s on the ice or off the ice. I’m one of the older guys in the room, so obviously there is a leadership aspect as well,” O’Brien said. “Even if I’m not in the lineup, I feel like I can still have an impact and help my teammates out.”

While sidelined, O’Brien has spent some extra time with Vladislav Kolyachonok. The 23-year-old defenseman has played 13 games this season and has been a frequent healthy scratch for the D-corps as of late.

Utah’s extras are usually out on the ice before practice starts and extend their workouts after morning skate ends on game days.

Following the Nov. 23 skate in Pittsburgh ahead of Utah’s game against the Penguins, O’Brien stayed out on the ice with Kolyachonok even as the Zambonis started to circle the rink. The youngster was looking to get some fighting tips from O’Brien, so, the two lined up and went through the motions of an NHL bout.

“He’s such a good guy. Coming to the rink, I love trying to make that guy smile,” O’Brien said of Kolyachonok. “He’s a guy that shows up to the rink and is an absolute workhorse. I think having a guy like that to work with has helped as well. I appreciate his work and the effort he puts in his game.”

Could Kolyachonok hold his own in a fight after his lessons with O’Brien?

“It’s not necessarily in his job description,” O’Brien said. “But listen, he’s a strong kid and he knows what he’s doing. If he does find himself in that situation, I think he’ll be fine.”

O’Brien’s positivity about his situation should not be missed. It partially stems from the fact that he has faced harder challenges.

The Halifax, Nova Scotia native was undrafted and played four seasons in the QMJHL before signing as a free agent with the Washington Capitals after he was invited to their 2014 training camp. He then spent the better part of six seasons in the AHL between the Hershey Bears and Colorado Eagles before signing with the Arizona Coyotes in July 2021 and inked a three-year extension with Utah in June.

O’Brien has had to work for every opportunity he’s gotten in professional hockey. His role in Utah is no different.

“I’ve been around a while, been through a lot in my career. I’ve been in a lot worse situations than this,” O’Brien said. “Everything that I have gone through in my career has been a stepping stone. It’s gotten me to this point where I’m now a full-timer in the NHL. I’m grateful for that adversity in my career. It’s helped me a lot mentally.”

While Utahns have not been able to see their early favorite “Spicy Tuna” dropping the gloves and throwing big hits on a nightly basis, O’Brien has been working behind the scenes to better both himself and his teammates.

He is now just waiting for his moment.

“The way he conducts himself is even more impressive now. Ultimate pro, ultimate teammate. It’s impressive,” Tourigny said. “He will be ready when he’s called upon.”

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