Boston University Terriers‘ senior center Jay O’Brien(18) leaves college hockey scoring a new best 24 assists and 32 points to sign a 1st AHL pro contract for 2023/2024 with Toronto Marlies.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward had 10 goals in 24 games as a junior.
He transferred to the school from a freshman year at Providence College Friars that was maybe a little early for the Hingham, MA native to attend, as he had only a few games of junior experience coming out of 2 years at Thayer Academy USHS-Prep, where he would emerge as a Philadelphia Flyers‘ 1st round pick in the 2018 draft (#19 overall)
They elected to not sign him, potentially due to an injury bug that has seemed to follow him through college hockey, despite scoring pretty effectively in each of those frames.
Next he would leave for a session in the BCHL with Penticton Vees that restored his scoring punch, setting him up to return to school.
No doubt, he will have to fight for room to score where he’s heading, but could very well find some light.
The 23-year old is likely just ready to get started and prove himself at the next level, pro, except suffers yet another unqualified injury and sits the entire frame.
For 2024/2025, Charlotte Checkers take the health gamble.