Fri 14 Aug 2026 - 7:00PM

PANTHERS SIGN FORWARD ZACH O'BRIEN

Nottingham Panthers have signed prolific points-scorer Zach O'Brien for the 2026/27 season.

The 34-year-old Canadian has played over 250 games in the AHL, winning the Calder Cup playoffs in Manchester Monarchs in 2015.

He has extensive experience in the ECHL in North America and has also played in Germany, Slovakia, Norway and in the UK with Cardiff Devils.

O'Brien has scored 165 goals and 277 assists for 442 points in 356 league and playoff games in the ECHL over eight seasons.

Standout seasons include 2018/19 where he was Alternate Captain at Newfoundland and helped lead the Growlers to the Kelly Cup Championship, picking up the MVP award after leading the team in playoff scoring with 16 goals and 13 assists in 23 games.

In 2022/23, he scored a staggering 87 points (23+64) in 59 regular-season matches, leading the league in assists and being named on the First All-Star Team.

Hailing from St John’s Newfoundland, he spent five seasons with his hometown club and is franchise leader in games played, goals, assists and points.

Other remarkble seasons include 2020/21 where he scored 83 points (40+43) in 49 games for German DEL2 side EV Landshut.

In 2024/25, he won the Continental Cup with Cardiff and last season scored 12 points in 15 games playoff games to help Storhamar become Norwegian champions.

Nottingham Panthers Head Coach, Danny Stewart, said: "This is a big add for us. We really like how we’ve built this team so far and adding elite skill like Zach is exactly what we needed.

"He’s exceptional on the puck, creates offense and has the ability to be a gamebreaker for us. He will play a huge part in our offence. He also has won several times and knows what it takes to get there."

O'Brien said: "I am excited to be coming to an elite club that is now consistently battling for trophies. I know from my time in Cardiff just what a great club the Panthers are and I am looking forward to being part of it.

"I really like what's being built in Nottingham and after speaking with Omar and Danny, I was 100% convinced this is the right move for me at this point in my career."

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