A second product of the Prince George minor hockey system has been added to the Prince George Cougars' roster in as many days.
Forward Fischer O'Brien signed a standard Western Hockey League contract, the club said Friday - a day after saying defenceman Aiden Reeves was brought on board.
Born in 2003, O'Brien is the younger brother of former Cougar Brogan O'Brien and spent last season with the Cariboo Cougars in the BC Major Midget League.
In 40 regular season games, he collected two goals, five assists and six penalty-minutes. In his bantam draft year, O'Brien was the third-leading scorer on his hometown Bantam Tier 1 Cougars, compiled nine goals and 14 assists in 18 games and helped the team to a second-place finish at the 2018 provincial championship.
"Fischer was a pleasant surprise for us in training camp. He's a smart, all-around player that we think will be a good fit in our organization going forward," said Cougars' general manager and head coach Mark Lamb.
Also on Friday, the Cougars said 2002-born defenceman Ethan McColm has signed on to the team.
McColm was drafted by the Regina Pats in the eighth-round, 176th overall, in the 2017 WHL bantam draft. The rangy defender was acquired by the Cougars near the 2018 WHL trade deadline in a trade that involved Jesse Gabrielle and Jonas Harkins.
The Oakbank, Manitoba product played for the Eastman Selects Midget AAA in the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League last season. In 45 games he put up one goal and 12 assists to go along with 32 penalty-minutes. In the 2017-18 season, he played for the Eastman Selects U-17 in the Winnipeg AAA Hockey League, and amassed eight goals and 28 assists in 35 games.
"Ethan also had a really good Training Camp and you could see the growth in his game over the last year," Lamb said. "He has earned his opportunity and we look forward to seeing him in pre-season action."
