Devils sign O’Brien to one-year pact

The New Jersey Devils, parent club of the AHL’s Albany Devils, announced Wednesday the signing of free agent forward Jim O’Brien to a one-year, two-way contract for $575,000 at the NHL level.

O’Brien, 26, joins the Devils organization after completing the 2014-15 season with Hershey (AHL). While with the Bears, he recorded 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 32 regular-season games, while adding three goals and one assist in 10 playoff contests.

O’Brien began last season with Novokuznetsk Metallurg (KHL).

A Calder Cup champion with Binghamton in 2011, O’Brien has played 266 regular-season games in his AHL career, recording 60 goals and 86 assists for 146 points. He has also appeared in 63 NHL contests with Ottawa, tallying eight goals and four assists for 12 points.

A native of Maplewood, Minn., O’Brien was Ottawa’s first-round choice (29th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.