On Thursday November 12th, the Kansas City Mavericks announced the signing of American defensemen Zach Osburn. The two sides agreed to terms on a standard player contract for the upcoming season. A native of Plymouth, Michigan, Osburn spent his first full season with the Mavericks hockey club in 2019-20.
In 50 games with the Mavericks last season, Osburn recorded seven goals along with 20 assists which made for 27 points. These were great numbers for a guy who was playing on a pretty abysmal team during his rookie season. He was rewarded for this in being named as an ECHL All-Star.
He was under contract with the Stockton Heat last season, where he made an appearance in five AHL games. Osburn is a bit undersized, but he’s an electrifying offensive defensemen. He possesses great puck handling ability to go along with great speed and agility.
He is a bit like Quinn Hughes in the way that he is very good at keeping the puck and carrying it with him into the offensive zone. As the righty continues to improve his all around game and learn to play within himself, he will become a better and more improved hockey player.
Osburn marks the tenth (yes, tenth) defensemen to sign a contract for the season with Kansas City. The Mavericks are going to have a fiercely competitive training camp, and at least a couple of those 10 guys aren’t going to make the opening night roster. I think Osburn has a pretty good chance to make the team, but he’s certainly going to have to earn it.