Is Shane O’Brien The Next Sean Avery?

In terms of suspensions, one game is really no big deal. Last night Vancouver Canucks defenseman Shane O’Brien made his return from a one-game suspension for spearing New York forward Sean Avery while both players stood at the end of their benches during a third-period melee Tuesday night.

We’ve all seen far better brawls breakout as a result of the antics of Sean Avery, but what was important in the war of words exchanged by the two players was a possible passing of the torch. For all intents and purposes, Avery is the epitome of the proverbial agitator in the NHL: he knows how to keep other players on edge, always managing to mutter the right words under his breath to get another player to take a retaliation penalty; he’s chippy, at times even dirty; and he plays the game with a certain type of ferocious intensity that few posses.

One of those few is Shane O’Brien. If you’ve ever watched O’Brien play you would see that like Avery, O’Brien’s mouth never really stops moving at any given point during an average fifty-second shift. He’s never one to shy away from speaking his mind (whether it be to officials, other players, or even spectators in the stands) and he always makes sure to let opposing forwards know that he is on the ice with his above-average physical play.

All that to say, both Avery and O’Brien love to be at the center of attention during any physical altercation––even if it takes place on the benches. During Avery’s verbal altercation with fellow agitator Darcy Hordichuck, O’Brien heard his cue and made his way toward the spotlight, fully ready to dethrone Avery from his agitator title. But right as we thought the torch was being past down to O’Brien, Avery literally ripped it back out of his hands. I’m not sure what Avery’s parting words were with O’Brien, but I believe that it was something to the extent of: “Back in the shallow end, kid.”

Avery is still the master, but as his apprentice, O’Brien is not far behind.