O'Brien Named to Atlantic Hall of Honor
11/15/2022 11:06:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
SHU's Career Scoring Leader Recognized
WINTHROP, Mass. – Nov. 15, 2022 – One of the early stars in the AHA, Sacred Heart University's Pierre-Luc O'Brien is this week's inductee into the Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor.
He joins current Columbus Blue Jackets forward Justin Danforth as the second Pioneer elected to the AHA Hall of Honor.
O'Brien was the first three-time first team All-Atlantic Hockey honoree in conference history and the AHA's first Rookie of the Year as a freshman in the league's 2003-04 debut season. He ended his career as Atlantic Hockey's overall and conference play career scoring leader and still stands as the top scorer in AHA games and ranks No. 3 overall today.
"So many people helped me along the way," O'Brien said. "Coaches all the way up to the pros. Teammates at every level. I'll never forget those people and the gifts they gave me in terms of how to play the game the right way. Shaun Hannah convinced me that the program was at a turning point back then. I really clicked with everyone there."
The Nicolet, Que., native netted five game-winning goals as a freshman and finished third on the Pioneer squad in scoring with 27 points on 14 goals and 13 assists as SHU reached the championship game of the first Atlantic Hockey postseason tournament after a fourth-place regular season finish. In addition to AHA All-Rookie and Rookie of the Year accolades, O'Brien was named to the AHA All-Tournament Team after a semifinal performance that saw him score twice in a 3-2 win over Mercyhurst. That performance included a third period unassisted shorthanded goal that sent the Pioneers to the Atlantic Hockey Championship Game.
As a sophomore, O'Brien led the Pioneers in scoring with a 18g-17a/35p line that earned him his first All-Atlantic Hockey honor after he led the conference in power play goals with 13. His PPG total from that season is tied for fifth all-time in Atlantic Hockey history.
O'Brien's junior season in 2005-06 saw him set a career high in points (50) goals (19) and assists (31) as he again led the Pioneers – and finished third in the conference – in scoring. The assist and point totals rank No. 2 on Sacred Heart's single-season lists.
As a senior, O'Brien and the Pioneers finished second in the Atlantic Hockey regular season with a 17-7-4 mark and reached the AHA semifinals. O'Brien once again led Sacred Heart in scoring with a 16g-30a/46p line in a campaign that was highlighted by an early-season comeback win at Mercyhurst. Trailing 4-0 with a little more than four minutes remaining in the game, SHU scored four times, with O'Brien netting three of the goals, to send the game into overtime before the Pioneers came away with a 5-4 win. After the season, O'Brien was awarded his third-straight All-AHA honor and was named an honorable mention All-American by USCHO.
O'Brien departed Atlantic Hockey following that season as conference's all-time leading scorer with 158 career points. That total stood as the AHA career record until 2014 and currently ranks No. 3 league history. He is also tied for seventh on the AHA career goals list with 67. His 130 points in Atlantic Hockey play still stands as the AHA career record today. His overall point and goal totals are also Sacred Heart records and his 91 assists rank No. 2 in school history.
"I never coached a player with so much passion and love for the game, former Sacred Heart head coach Shaun Hannah said. "His enthusiasm was unparalleled. He was a great example to the other players."
After a pro career that took him to the AHL, ECHL and Germany, O'Brien returned to Quebec, where he works as a real estate consultant and still follows the Pioneers.
"I'm in awe of what they're doing," O'Brien said. "It makes me proud."
Atlantic Hockey 20th Season
The Atlantic Hockey Association is celebrating its 20th season of competition in 2022-23 with the recognition of the top 20 players from the conference's first two decades. This distinguished group will also comprise the first class of inductees into the Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor. The honorees will be revealed weekly during the 2022-23 regular season with the final player revealed on Feb. 21.
Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor Inductees
Nov. 15: Pierre-Luc O'Brien, F, Sacred Heart (2003-07)
Nov. 8: Brennan Kapcheck, D, AIC (2017-21)
Nov. 1: Joseph Duszak, D, Mercyhurst (2016-19)
Oct. 25: James Sixsmith, F, Holy Cross (2003-07)
Oct 18: Jared DeMichiel, G, RIT (2006-10)
Oct. 11: Zach McKelvie, D, Army West Point (2005-09)
Oct. 4: Jamie Hunt, D, Mercyhurst (2003-06)
Sept. 27: Justin Danforth, F, Sacred Heart (2013-17)
He joins current Columbus Blue Jackets forward Justin Danforth as the second Pioneer elected to the AHA Hall of Honor.
O'Brien was the first three-time first team All-Atlantic Hockey honoree in conference history and the AHA's first Rookie of the Year as a freshman in the league's 2003-04 debut season. He ended his career as Atlantic Hockey's overall and conference play career scoring leader and still stands as the top scorer in AHA games and ranks No. 3 overall today.
"So many people helped me along the way," O'Brien said. "Coaches all the way up to the pros. Teammates at every level. I'll never forget those people and the gifts they gave me in terms of how to play the game the right way. Shaun Hannah convinced me that the program was at a turning point back then. I really clicked with everyone there."
The Nicolet, Que., native netted five game-winning goals as a freshman and finished third on the Pioneer squad in scoring with 27 points on 14 goals and 13 assists as SHU reached the championship game of the first Atlantic Hockey postseason tournament after a fourth-place regular season finish. In addition to AHA All-Rookie and Rookie of the Year accolades, O'Brien was named to the AHA All-Tournament Team after a semifinal performance that saw him score twice in a 3-2 win over Mercyhurst. That performance included a third period unassisted shorthanded goal that sent the Pioneers to the Atlantic Hockey Championship Game.
As a sophomore, O'Brien led the Pioneers in scoring with a 18g-17a/35p line that earned him his first All-Atlantic Hockey honor after he led the conference in power play goals with 13. His PPG total from that season is tied for fifth all-time in Atlantic Hockey history.
O'Brien's junior season in 2005-06 saw him set a career high in points (50) goals (19) and assists (31) as he again led the Pioneers – and finished third in the conference – in scoring. The assist and point totals rank No. 2 on Sacred Heart's single-season lists.
As a senior, O'Brien and the Pioneers finished second in the Atlantic Hockey regular season with a 17-7-4 mark and reached the AHA semifinals. O'Brien once again led Sacred Heart in scoring with a 16g-30a/46p line in a campaign that was highlighted by an early-season comeback win at Mercyhurst. Trailing 4-0 with a little more than four minutes remaining in the game, SHU scored four times, with O'Brien netting three of the goals, to send the game into overtime before the Pioneers came away with a 5-4 win. After the season, O'Brien was awarded his third-straight All-AHA honor and was named an honorable mention All-American by USCHO.
O'Brien departed Atlantic Hockey following that season as conference's all-time leading scorer with 158 career points. That total stood as the AHA career record until 2014 and currently ranks No. 3 league history. He is also tied for seventh on the AHA career goals list with 67. His 130 points in Atlantic Hockey play still stands as the AHA career record today. His overall point and goal totals are also Sacred Heart records and his 91 assists rank No. 2 in school history.
"I never coached a player with so much passion and love for the game, former Sacred Heart head coach Shaun Hannah said. "His enthusiasm was unparalleled. He was a great example to the other players."
After a pro career that took him to the AHL, ECHL and Germany, O'Brien returned to Quebec, where he works as a real estate consultant and still follows the Pioneers.
"I'm in awe of what they're doing," O'Brien said. "It makes me proud."
Atlantic Hockey 20th Season
The Atlantic Hockey Association is celebrating its 20th season of competition in 2022-23 with the recognition of the top 20 players from the conference's first two decades. This distinguished group will also comprise the first class of inductees into the Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor. The honorees will be revealed weekly during the 2022-23 regular season with the final player revealed on Feb. 21.
Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor Inductees
Nov. 15: Pierre-Luc O'Brien, F, Sacred Heart (2003-07)
Nov. 8: Brennan Kapcheck, D, AIC (2017-21)
Nov. 1: Joseph Duszak, D, Mercyhurst (2016-19)
Oct. 25: James Sixsmith, F, Holy Cross (2003-07)
Oct 18: Jared DeMichiel, G, RIT (2006-10)
Oct. 11: Zach McKelvie, D, Army West Point (2005-09)
Oct. 4: Jamie Hunt, D, Mercyhurst (2003-06)
Sept. 27: Justin Danforth, F, Sacred Heart (2013-17)
Thanksgiving Baking
Thursday, November 27
Mini Movie: Hockey Fights Cancer
Tuesday, November 26
Saige Harper Paris 2024
Tuesday, April 16
Behind the Boards (MIH): Season 2, Episode 13
Friday, March 08
