Newfoundland's O'Brien receives 2021-22 ECHL Sportsmanship Award

Zach O’Brien of the Newfoundland Growlers is the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award for 2021-22 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.  The ECHL will announce the recipient of the John A. Daley Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year on Monday. TJ Hensick of Toledo finished second, followed by Allen’s Chad Costello, Derek Nesbitt of Atlanta and Idaho’s A.J. White. This marks the second time in O’Brien’s career that he has received the Sportsmanship Award as he also was the recipient in 2018-19. He joins Jamie Ling (1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-01) and Shane Berschbach (2015-16 and 2016-17) as multiple winners of the ECHL Sportsmanship Award. O’Brien, who was named to the All-ECHL Second Team yesterday, ranks second in the league with 78 points (28g-50a) in 52 games while being assessed just four penalty minutes. He leads the league with 28 power-play points, ranks second with 20 power-play assists and is third with 50 assists ECHL Sportsmanship Award Winners2021-22           Zach O’Brien, Newfoundland Growlers2020-21           Aaron Luchuk, Orlando Solar Bears2019-20           Spencer Watson, Indy Fuel2018-19           Zach O’Brien, Newfoundland Growlers2017-18           Brodie Dupont, Norfolk Admirals2016-17           Shane Berschbach, Toledo Walleye2015-16           Shane Berschbach, Toledo Walleye2014-15           Chad Costello, Allen Americans2013-14           Peter Sivak, Alaska Aces2012-13           Randy Rowe, Toledo Walleye2011-12           Kevin Ulanski, Colorado Eagles2010-11           Brian Swanson, Alaska Aces2009-10           Barret Ehgoetz, Cincinnati Cyclones2008-09           Travis Morin, South Carolina Stingrays2007-08           Jeff Campbell, Gwinnett Gladiators2006-07           Derek Nesbitt, Idaho Steelheads2005-06           Steve Saviano, Florida Everblades2004-05           Kris Goodjohn, Gwinnett Gladiators2003-04           Mark Pederson, San Diego Gulls2002-03           Rejean Stringer, Columbia Inferno2001-02           Ben Stafford, Trenton Titans2000-01           Jamie Ling, Dayton Bombers1999-00           Jamie Ling, Dayton Bombers1998-99           Jamie Ling, Dayton Bombers1997-98           Cal Ingraham, Tallahassee Tiger Sharks1996-97           Mike Ross, South Carolina Stingrays