Ron Hextall made a bold move selecting a high schooler from Thayer Academy in Jay O’Brien with the 19th overall pick at the 2018 NHL Draft, “It was great hearing my name get called by the Flyers organization,” O’Brien said, “I couldn’t wait to get started, and now here we are at my second Developmental Camp.”
O’Brien is a great skater and stick handler. He can reach top-end speeds in a matter of seconds, as he is very good at separating himself from his opponents. Hextall selected O’Brien to help aide the Flyers with scoring, but more importantly speed. The Flyers will need speedy natural goal scorers in the future, as the name of the game in the NHL is speed. There is no doubt O’Brien can eventually be that speedy spark to amp up the offense.
This young Flyers team seems destined for success in the future, with all the young budding prospects. Of course, now we can add O’Brien to the mix of budding young prospects, as he hopes to get his career back on track.“I’m one hundred percent committed to the Penticton Vees,” O’Brien said, “I want to develop, and hopefully have a good year. The key for this season is staying injury-free.”
As O’Brien highlighted, unfortunately, the injury bug really bit him last year, and it appeared O’Brien lost his mojo from his days at Thayer Academy. He sustained a nasty concussion that sidelined him for some time, and then O’Brien sustained a neck and shoulder injury that concluded his first season for the Providence Friars. O’Brien really couldn’t get anything going with his game because of injury, and it really took a toll on him mentally, “Nothing is easy in life. It wasn’t an easy season physically and mentally, but I’m happy the Flyers believe in me. I faced some adversity last season, and now I’m headed full force to a new season with the Vees.”
O’Brien continued, “I know what I can do, I will be better. Fans don’t give up. I’m eating right, doing the little things to have a good season.”
The young prospect in O’Brien was born on November 4, 1999, in Hingham, MA. This US-born player has busted his butt to get where he is at in his career. Nothing was handed to him by any means, he had to earn everything. He’s become good friends with Joel Farabee along the way, as the two have spent some time together while playing for the US National U18 Team for the USDP program. It may be one reason why O’Brien chose to attend Boston University in 2020-21, but for O’Brien Farabee has been a bright spot this past season, “Joel is a good player. I’m happy for him, as we have become good friends from our time we spent together for the USDP program. I plan to attend a very good hockey program with the Terriers in 2020, and those reports of a petition for playing there this season are false. I’m 100% committed to Penticton.”
This young prospect in O’Brien opened some eyes for Thayer Academy, as he has elite vision of the ice, and just has a knack for finishing plays. He’s so good around the net. O’Brien just has elite hands to pot a big goal, to combine that with his speed….watch out. The Flyers still have a lot of faith in this young man, “He’s got quick hands, O’Brien can really shoot the puck,” Assistant GM Brent Flahr said, “His skating is going to be good. He’s a lot more confident, stronger, and ready to go.”
“Just take it one day at a time,” O’Brien said, “I’m committed to getting back on track. Watch out (Laughing).”
This young man has some great hockey tools that the Flyers could benefit from in the future. O’Brien is so darn fast he’s like the “Wylie Coyote” on skates, and to pair that with his hockey IQ. He’s just too darn talented not to right the ship this season for the Vees. One thing is for certain Flyers fans, the future is bright in Flyer land.
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports