NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX – In a move that had been anticipated for some time, Brahmas goaltender Conor O’Brien has been recalled by the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League.
The move comes in correspondence to the Phantoms starting goaltender Ryan Bednard being selected to play for the United States in the 2015 World Junior A Challenge, which will take place in Ontario over the next few weeks.
“Conor is Youngstown’s property and it’s a great opportunity for him to be called up there,” remarked head coach Dan Wildfong.
In 11 games played this season O’Brien is 7-1-3 with a goals against average of 1.77, accompanied with a .916 save percentage.
“He’s done an outstanding job here at the Tier II level, so they’re very comfortable with calling him up,” said Lone Star Brahmas goalie coach and NA3HL Texas Jr. Brahmas head coach Al Rooney. “You’re never going to see a coach bring up a player he’s afraid to use so he’s earned it.”
To fill the void the Lone Star Brahmas have called up Brandon Perrone of the NA3HL Texas Jr. Brahmas.
Perrone is an impressive 10-2-1 in 14 games played this season. Furthermore, he holds the second best goals against average in the entire NA3HL (1.36) and also ranks in the top ten for save percentage at .925%.
“I’m biased but I think he’s one of the best goalies in all of Tier III hockey and I didn’t think it was a matter of if, it was a matter of when he was going to get called up,” Rooney said about the young goaltender.
Depending on how long Bednard is away from Youngstown is likely the equivalent that Perrone will be with the NAHL Brahmas.
“It’s a great opportunity for Perrone too, who comes up to us as a result of the chain effect. It’s important that the both of them have a chance to play up and really boost their confidence,” Wildfong continued.
Stay tuned for updates on the performances of both O’Brien and Perrone during these exciting times of player development in Brahmaland!