Experience is key in life, regardless of what you do. You've learned from prior mistakes and have bettered yourself in the process, making you better at your craft. It doesn't matter if you're a mechanic or if you're playing for the Tahoe Knight Monsters (or even the Vegas Golden Knights). Experience matters.
That's what the Knight Monsters are getting with Mike O'Leary after signing him on Friday. The 27-year-old has spent his career hopping across the globe, going to countries like Finland (SM Liiga). But he's also spent plenty of time in the AHL, playing 188 career games with teams like the Hartford Wolf Pack (2019-22), the Iowa Wild (2022-24), and the Milwaukee Admirals (2024-2025).
Overall, he has 44 points (19 goals and 25 assists) during his AHL career, making him a notable forward depth piece. Before starting his professional career, O'Leary spent four seasons with the University of Notre Dame (how fitting is that?), playing from 2016-2020.
While he won't light the lamp too much, he is a sizable player. O'Leary stands at 6'2" and weighs 201 lbs., making him a lower-line presence for any team. He can lead a line and establish a physical presence, making him ideal for the two-way game.
Still, it'll be a stretch for the Halifax native to even consider playing time with the Henderson Silver Knights. The Silver Knights have a better forward lineup despite playing subpar last season. Therefore, it's expected that he'll act as a depth piece for the Knight Monsters this season.
But that doesn't mean he won't have an impact. Every player carries an integral role, no matter how close they are to being the next Jake Leschyshyn. That's certainly the case for O'Leary, who looks to give Irish eyes a reason to smile for the upcoming ECHL season.