DALLAS – Jay O’Brien became the second New England native taken in the 2018 NHL Draft on Friday night, joining New York Islanders pick Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.). The Philadelphia Flyers took the Thayer Academy star at No. 19, higher than many predicted before events unfolded at the American Airlines Center. “Not too surprised,” O’Brien...
DALLAS – Jay O’Brien became the second New England native taken in the 2018 NHL Draft on Friday night, joining New York Islanders pick Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.).
The Philadelphia Flyers took the Thayer Academy star at No. 19, higher than many predicted before events unfolded at the American Airlines Center.
“Not too surprised,” O’Brien said when asked about being picked so high. “I had a great meeting with Philly. It was a place I wanted to play. It’s a historic franchise. I couldn’t be happier to be a Flyer.”
“This is a great stepping stone for me," O'Brien added. "Now it’s what I make of it. I’m going to give it a good run and I’m going to play for Philly someday."
NHL scouts came out in droves to watch O’Brien at Thayer all season, but he said the Flyers might have had the most viewings.
“[General Manager Ron] Hextall and their head guys came and watched me a good amount," O'Brien said. "I built a pretty good connection."
Committed to Providence College, O’Brien scored nearly three points per game in his senior season, playing for Tony Amonte’s Tigers. His stock soared at the USHL Fall Classic this past September in Cranberry, Pa., while playing up with the U.S. NTDP U-18 team.
“I play the same way everywhere I go," O'Brien said. "After playing with the U.S. team in some USHL games and some college games, I think that’s why I got picked where I got picked."
The Hingham, Mass., native is a versatile, two-way center who could play in a top-nine role. He’s a good skater with a strong compete who recovers pucks and does a good job making plays. He’s at his best when he keeps things simple and goes hard north-south. His offensive skill set is well-rounded and he can kill penalties as well.
“[Jake] Guentzel from Pittsburgh,” O’Brien said when asked who he tries to model his game after. “I like the way he shoots the puck, how he skates and his high hockey IQ. It’s the way I like to play. He’s competitive and likes to win hockey games, and that’s what I’m going to bring to Philly.”
“I stress face-offs, little things and create possession,” added O’Brien, who counts his hockey sense as his best attribute.
O’Brien will be part of one of the best recruiting classes in the history of the program at Providence. He said playing for Nate Leaman is one of the biggest reasons he chose the Friars.
"I’m so excited to play under [Leaman]," O'Brien said. "I think he’s the best coach in college hockey, the way he develops his players and his attention to detail. We have similar mindsets. We’re competitive guys who just want to win hockey games.”
