Feature Photo: Getty Images

Liam O’Brien is a man of the people.

Along every stop of his NHL career to date – Washington, Colorado, Arizona, and now, Utah – the affable O’Brien has been a fan favourite and popular teammate wherever he goes.

An outgoing personality, blue-collar game and team-first attitude are just a few reasons why the 30-year-old forward has found a welcoming home wherever he has played.

Utah included.

In April, O’Brien and his teammates introduced themselves to thousands of fans who had gathered at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

No. 38 was an instant hit.

When it came for his turn at the mic, he asked fans to refer to him as Spicy Tuna and then pumped up the enthusiastic crowd.

“I cannot wait to get this place buzzing. Let’s go!” he roared.

It was all the more impressive considering it was improvised.

“Usually, it is that ‘rah-rah’ atmosphere, so I was ready for that part of it,” O’Brien recalled. “But I didn’t know we were announcing ourselves. I had no plan as to what I was going to say. I just kind of went rogue and everyone seemed to like it.”

The nickname is a play on another moniker, Big Tuna, bestowed on him a few years ago.

It began with a reference between O’Brien and former teammate Nate Schmidt, now with the Florida Panthers, from the much-loved sitcom, “The Office.”

“He began calling me that and everyone just jumped on board,” noted, O’Brien, who was named the recipient of the Coyotes’ Jukka Nieminen Memorial Trophy in 2021-22 as the team’s hardest working player. “Coaches, players, everyone – that’s what they called me.”

O’Brien has embraced it all.

From his official Twitter handle, @OfficialBigTuna, to having tuna on his sticks, it’s become a big part of his identity.

It has also followed him to Utah.

And not just at the rink.

Grocery stores, restaurants – the legend of Spicy Tuna is growing.

“If I am out, I hear things like, ‘That’s the Spicy Tuna guy!’ A lot of that stuff. You get recognized at the grocery store or restaurants.

“It’s an ever-evolving thing. Guys call me different things all the time. It’s not up to me, you know? I’m good with any of it. I’m a laid-back guy, so I am good with whatever the guys want to call me – unless it’s ridiculous.

“Jordan Schmaltz, who is Nick Schmaltz’s brother, he is the one who started it [Spicy Tuna] on Twitter, and the guys kind of ran with it. The guys saw it, liked it, and it kind of went from there.”

What matters most to O’Brien, who played his 200th NHL career game last night in a 5-2 home-opener victory, is helping Utah make some noise in its inaugural NHL season.

Support for the team and its players continues to grow.

“It’s cool and it’s cool to see how excited the city is for hockey. It’s been very welcoming. You can’t ask for anything more than that.

“Everyone is very, very excited. It’s pretty cool to see the amount of excitement and the fan support. There is a definite buzz.”

One that extends to the players donning the Utah colours.

“We feel good about the guys we have. We have taken strides in the last few seasons, and now we are ready to take bigger ones.”

His teammates are happy to have Spicy Tuna along to help achieve that goal.

“Liam has done a great job. He brings it every day. He is always going to get the guys going, bring that spark – he is so consistent with his habits and how he prepares himself,” said fellow Utah forward, Alex Kerfoot.

“He has a tough job, but every day around the rink, he has a positive mindset, and he loves what he’s doing. His energy drives our group a lot of the time.”  

Last season, the undrafted centre was a staple in the Arizona lineup and recorded 14 points in 75 games while leading the team with 229 hits.

O’Brien, who signed a three-year contract with Utah in June, knows exactly what he needs to do to be effective each night.

“It is just doing a lot of the really good little things, paying attention to the details of the game. I am in the right spots, making the right plays, finishing my hits, creating turnovers, winning battles, and getting under the other team’s skin – that’s a good game for me.”

No need to ask if the Halifax-born forward, who welcomed a daughter named Leilani with his wife Adela this June, is ready for the challenge.

“The guys are all in and we’re excited about this year.”

A year in which the legend of Spicy Tuna will undoubtedly attract some new followers in Salt Lake City and beyond.

“I like it. I have had so many different nicknames. If that’s what the people like, then I like it too. The fans seem to like it and I like it too.”

What O’Brien would enjoy most of all, however, is another chance to speak to the team’s fans.  

“I just hope sometime in the future that I can get the mic with the Stanley Cup beside me – that would be unbelievable.”