Utah Mammoth 2024-25 Report Cards: Liam O’Brien
The inaugural season for the Utah Hockey Club, now the Utah Mammoth, has concluded. The team posted a 38-31-13 record, while their AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, finished 34-32-4-2, securing the seventh playoff spot in the Pacific Division. The Roadrunners lost in the first round of the playoffs 2-1 to the Abbotsford Canucks.
Now that the season is over, it’s time to grade the 48 Utah players under NHL contracts, excluding Connor Ingram for obvious reasons. We’ll also compare how players performed compared to last season and consider their future prospects. This evaluation will proceed alphabetically by first name, starting with Liam O’Brien.
Season Overview
After his best NHL season with the Arizona Coyotes, O’Brien returned for his third year in the desert, aiming to build on a solid 11-point campaign, with his contract set to expire in July. 
His season started slowly, failing to register a point in his first six games, but he did manage his first fight early on against Anaheim Ducks forward Ross Johnston. O’Brien scored his first point in a game against the LA Kings and his first goal of the season shortly after, adding another assist. In that game, he fought Chicago Blackhawks alternate captain Nick Foligno, marking one of his more memorable fights of the season.
A five-game stretch saw O’Brien tally four points, including his second goal. However, he faced long gaps without producing points, including waiting until December 16 for his next goal—one of the best of his career. Against the Buffalo Sabres, O’Brien surprised everyone with a backhanded goal after a speedy breakaway.
In late January, O’Brien engaged in several fights, including against tough enforcers like Nikita Zadorov, Jonah Gadjovich, and Brendan Dillon. February was a quiet month for O’Brien, with no points but a notable fight against Ryan Reeves. He bounced back in March, producing three points in five games and scored the opening goal in the Coyotes’ final game of the season, a 5-2 win.
2023-24 Performance Recap
O’Brien’s 2023-24 season was his best in the NHL to date, playing 75 games—his most in a single season. He scored 5 goals, 9 assists (14 points), and accumulated 153 penalty minutes, another career high. He became a key bottom-six presence, providing physicality and chipping in some offense alongside Alex Kerfoot and Michael Carcone.
As the team relocated to Salt Lake City, O’Brien embraced the move, quickly endearing himself to fans with his introduction as “Spicy Tuna” and expressing his excitement to play in the Delta Center. Shortly after, he signed a three-year contract with an AAV of $1 million.
2024-25 Performance
O’Brien began the season with a fight in the preseason and earned a spot on the opening night lineup alongside Kerfoot and Kevin Stenlund. Fans chanted his nickname during physical plays, but after being replaced by Carcone, O’Brien was reinserted into the lineup for a brief stint in early January. He recorded two fights and an assist during this period.
In February, after engaging in a fight against Nic Deslauriers, O’Brien recorded his first point with Utah, an assist. However, he was sidelined for about four weeks after suffering a lower-body injury in a game against the Seattle Kraken.
O’Brien played in just 28 games during the season, tallying two assists and 50 penalty minutes—both significantly lower than his previous year’s stats.
Future Outlook
As the Mammoth continue to improve and bring in more top prospects and established NHL players, O’Brien’s role is shrinking. With new signings like Brandon Tanev and the re-signing of Kailer Yamamoto and Michael Carcone, the competition for a spot in the lineup is intensifying. Prospects like Cole Beaudoin and Daniil But will also push for roster spots, making it harder for O’Brien to secure a regular role.
Despite his reduced ice time, O’Brien remains a crucial locker room presence. He’s a team player, known for his leadership and willingness to protect his teammates, even at the cost of his own physicality. His strong relationship with younger players, like mentoring Logan Cooley in fighting, has solidified his status as a fan favorite in Utah, where “Spicy Tuna” chants and merchandise became a hallmark of the season.
However, as the Mammoth’s lineup strengthens, O’Brien’s role as an everyday player is becoming less essential. While he still provides toughness, he no longer fits as a core contributor in a lineup with faster and more offensive-minded players. His contract, with a $1 million AAV, isn’t a huge burden but may be better spent elsewhere as the Mammoth deepen their roster.
If O’Brien remains in Utah, his playing time will likely be limited, with younger, faster players competing for a spot. It’s also possible that the Mammoth trade O’Brien in the coming year, opening up a roster spot for more playing time elsewhere.
Final Grade
Evaluating O’Brien’s season is tricky due to the limited number of games he played. Although his production decreased, his primary role remains physicality, which he still delivered, albeit in a reduced capacity. His two points and six fights in 28 games don’t make him an offensive asset, but he did provide the grit and energy expected from him.
Given the circumstances, O’Brien earns a C-minus for the 2024-25 season. While his offensive numbers dipped, he remained effective in his designated role. With the Mammoth’s growing depth, it’s uncertain how much longer O’Brien will play a major role, but his physicality and leadership will likely keep him in the mix for certain matchups.
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