Jay O'Brien (ice hockey)

Jay O'Brien (born November 4, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey center currently under contract with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was drafted in the first round, 19th overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Jay O'Brien
Born (1999-11-04) November 4, 1999 (age 24)
Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight176 lb (80 kg; 12 st 8 lb)
PositionCenter
ShootsRight
AHL teamToronto Marlies
NHL draft19th overall, 2018
Philadelphia Flyers
Playing careerTBD–present

Early life

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O'Brien was born in Hingham, Massachusetts. Before his senior year of high school, O'Brien was given the option to leave Thayer Academy early and join the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League.[1] O'Brien chose to stay at Thayer Academy and put up 80 points in 30 games, a new career high, during the 2017–18 season. Following the 2017–18 season, O'Brien was awarded United States High School All-USA Hockey Player of the Year and was named to the USHS All-USA Hockey First Team.[2] Although O'Brien spent the majority of the season playing high school league hockey, he did play one game for the Phantoms and joined the United States under-18 team for seven exhibition games.[3]

Playing career

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Following graduation from Thayer Academy, O'Brien joined the Providence College Friars in the Hockey East of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).[4] As a freshman with the Friars in the 2018–19 season, O'Brien struggled to define a role for himself, struggling through injury he was limited to 25 games, totalling just two goals and five points.

Opting to enter the NCAA transfer system and end his tenure with Providence, O'Brien agreed to join Canadian junior team, the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), for the 2019–20 season.[5] He later agreed to join fellow Hockey East competitor in Boston University for the 2020–21 season prior to his tenure in the BCHL.[6]

On August 15, 2023, O'Brien became a free agent when the Flyers opted not to sign him.[7] He was later signed to a one-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies, the primary affiliate to the Toronto Maple Leafs, on August 25, 2023.[8]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
2019 Canada

After playing 10 games for the Friars, O'Brien was loaned to the United States national junior team to compete at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[9]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2014–15Dexter SchoolUSHS315492
2015–16Dexter SchoolUSHS291420346
2016–17Thayer AcademyUSHS3024416512
2016–17Youngstown PhantomsUSHL40114
2017–18Thayer AcademyUSHS3043378012
2017–18Youngstown PhantomsUSHL10000
2018–19Providence CollegeHE2523510
2019–20Penticton VeesBCHL4625416651555102
2020–21Boston UniversityHE16881610
2021–22Boston UniversityHE2410122238
2022–23Boston UniversityHE398243242
NCAA totals10428477598

International

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YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2019United StatesWJC 70000
Junior totals70000

References

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  1. ^ Mark Divver (November 16, 2017). "Mark Divver: Staying home is working out well for PC recruit Jay O'Brien". Providence Journal. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  2. ^ "With the 19th Overall Selection the Flyers select Jay O'Brien". NHL.com. June 22, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  3. ^ "Prospect Of Interest: The 411 on Jay O'Brien". sportsnet.ca. June 22, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  4. ^ "JAY O'BRIEN". friars.com. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  5. ^ Dusak, Mike (April 23, 2019). "Report: Flyers prospect Jay O'Brien enters NCAA transfer portal, to leave Providence College". Broad Street Hockey. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  6. ^ "Boston University lands Jay O'Brien". hockeyjournal.com. June 18, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  7. ^ Elvin, Gustav (August 16, 2023). "Flyers are awarded draft pick for not signing former first-rounder Jay O'Brien". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  8. ^ "Marlies sign former first-rounder O'Brien". American Hockey League. August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  9. ^ "United States finalizes roster for World Junior Championship". NHL.com. December 23, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Philadelphia Flyers' first round draft pick
2018
Succeeded by