ST. JOHN’S, NL – They leaped Germany and are putting up some of the best numbers of their pro-career. Newfoundland and Labradorian’s Marcus Power and Zach O’Brien are soaring near the top of the DEL 2 in Germany. Playing on the top line for EV Landshut, the two Newfs have found their new calling on European ice.
There’s only one other Canadian on the 9th place EV Landshut. With a primarily German squad, playing in a primarily German-speaking leauge, it could pose a threat to their play. They join a team with 18 Germans, including former NHL’er and Olympian Dimitri Pätzold.
Also from Newfoundland and Labrador, Aiden Foley covers the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers and Orlando Solar Bears for The Sin Bin and told S@Y News that the two are a package deal.
“I think what you’re seeing is effectively chemistry. I don’t know if one is good without the other.” Said Foley, “I believe they wan’t to stay together. So if one goes some place, you have to take the other”
-Aiden Foley, The Sin Bin
Zach O’Brien is the one that found his stride the most. Sitting comfortably at the top of the DEL 2 with 47 points, O’Brien’s play has been apart of a string of seasons like no other for the 27-year-old. In the past five seasons before playing with Power, O’Brien averaged 0.56 points per game without his sidekick. Meanwhile, since 2018 and the addition of Power, O’Brien has recorded over 1.35 points per game.
Power and O’Brien grew up playing against and with each other through the junior leagues. Being relatively close in age, the two played on the NL Blackhorse ball hockey team together. They took that ball hockey run to team Canada where the two represented the Maple Leaf.
“They wanted to bounce back after an unexpected break without hockey. I think their motivation for the game has really helped them.” Said Foley “With the ECHL and the AHL (to a lesser extent) not having as many roster spots, any bit of practice will help. I think that getting however many minutes you can – especially because they’re in their mid 20’s, which a lot of players in the minor leagues retire around this time. I do think that this will help them, and I think next year will be a year to look forward to.”
As for what’s next for the duo? Well, as of now, it looks like they’ll be sitting out for the rest of the 2020-21 AHL and ECHL season. With the Newfoundland Growlers in tough negotiations with the city of St. John’s, the pair may not return to the ice in Newfoundland for quite some time.
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