Zach O’Brien of the Newfoundland Growlers is the recipient of the ECHL Sportsmanship Award for 2018-19 as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors and media members.
The award is presented annually to the player who is judged to have exhibited the best sportsmanship combined with a high standard of playing ability.
Derek Nesbitt of Atlanta finished second, followed by Kalamazoo’s Chris Collins, Ben Duffy of Norfolk and Cincinnati’s Jesse Schultz.
O’Brien, who was named to the All-ECHL Second Team as well, is tied for 13th in the league with 63 points (27g-36a) in 50 games while being assessed just six penalty minutes. His seven game-winning goals are tied for third. O’Brien has 106 points (43g-63a) in 99 career ECHL games with Newfoundland, Wichita and Ontario with just 10 career penalty minutes.
O’Brien also finished fifth in the voting for the league’s most valuable player award.
