Jim O'Brien (ice hockey)

Last updated

Jim O'Brien
Jim O-Brien.jpg
O'Brien at New Jersey Devils Training Camp in 2015
Born (1989-01-29) January 29, 1989 (age 35)
Maplewood, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Center
Shot Right
team
Former teams
Free Agent
Ottawa Senators
Metallurg Novokuznetsk
New Jersey Devils
Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers
NHL draft 29th overall, 2007
Ottawa Senators
Playing career 20092020

James Patrick O'Brien (born January 29, 1989) [1] is an American former ice hockey forward. He played 77 games in the National Hockey League from 2010 to 2018.

Contents

Playing career

O'Brien played junior hockey for the United States National Under-18 Team in the NAHL from 2004 until 2006. He then entered the University of Minnesota and played a season of hockey for the Golden Gophers as a 17-year-old. He had to receive an exception to play in university hockey; he was the youngest player in US college ice hockey. [2] [3]

O'Brien was drafted 29th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. [4] O'Brien played defense before switching in high-school to "play as a power-forward center-ice man" [2] His final Central Scouting rank was 38th. [2] He was picked by Ottawa general manager Bryan Murray because "size matters". [3] O'Brien is a strong skater, he blocks shots and he is a penalty killer. [5] It was the third year in a row that the Senators picked a US-born player. [6] They picked Nick Foligno 28th overall during the 2006 NHL Draft, [7] and Brian Lee ninth overall in 2005. [8]

O'Brien played the following 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons with the major-junior Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. On March 30, 2009, he turned professional, joining the Binghamton Senators, Ottawa's AHL affiliate.

O'Brien made his National Hockey League debut on December 31, 2010, dressing for the Senators in an away game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. [9] He played a total of six NHL games with Ottawa during the 2010–11 NHL season, registering 11 shots on goal, no points, and two penalty minutes. O'Brien was returned to Binghamton and was a member of the 2011 Calder Cup championship team.

O'Brien returned to Binghamton for the 2011–12 season after attending Ottawa's training camp. He was called up to Ottawa in February 2012 and scored his first NHL goal on February 15, 2012, against the Florida Panthers.

On July 18, 2012, the Ottawa Senators announced that they resigned O'Brien to a two-year contract. [10]

At the conclusion of his second contract with the Senators, O'Brien was not offered a new contract and signed his first contract abroad with in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League with Metallurg Novokuznetsk. [11] In the 2014–15 season, O'Brien scored a respectable 12 points in 22 games before he opted for a return to North America and secured a release from Metallurg Novokuznetsk on December 14, 2014. On December 26, 2014, O'Brien signalled a return to the AHL in signing with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He was then immediately claimed off waivers by the Hershey Bears. [12]

On July 1, 2015, O'Brien earned an NHL contract in signing as a free agent to a one-year, two-way deal with the New Jersey Devils. [13] In the 2015–16 season, O'Brien compiled his most productive season in the AHL since 2011, in recording 19 goals and 38 points with the Albany Devils. He was recalled by New Jersey to appear in 4 scoreless games with the Devils.

At the conclusion of the season, O'Brien left the Devils organization as a free agent. On July 1, 2016, he signed a one-year, two-way contract to join the Colorado Avalanche. [14] O'Brien was assigned to bolster AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage for the 2016–17 season. [15] Hampered by injury throughout the campaign, O'Brien was unable to continue his scoring pace with the Rampage, collecting 9 goals and 24 points in 53 games. He was briefly recalled by the Avalanche, but was returned to the AHL without appearing for the club.

As an un-signed free agent over the summer, O'Brien opted to return to familiar settings in accepting a professional try-out contract to start the 2017–18 season with inaugural AHL club the Belleville Senators, affiliate to the Ottawa Senators. [16] After playing in the opening four games of the season, O'Brien's try-out was successful as he secured a one-year AHL deal with Belleville on October 19, 2017. [17] On February 25, 2018, the Ottawa Senators signed O'Brien to a two-year, two-way contract and was then assigned to the Belleville Senators for the remainder of the 2017–18 season. [18] O'Brien was called up to Ottawa on February 26, 2018, after Nick Shore was traded. [19] O'Brien appeared in 10 games, registering 1 assist in his return to the NHL.

In the following season within the Senators organization, O'Brien's 2018–19 campaign was limited to just 11 games with the Belleville Senators due to injury.

As an impending free agent from the Senators, O'Brien opted to return abroad in securing a one-year contract with German club, the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers of the DEL, on June 18, 2019. [20]

Personal life

O'Brien was among a small group of Senators' players who had planned on attending the 2013 Boston Marathon. O'Brien and the other players had originally intended to be at the marathon's finish line during the time at which bombs exploded, killing and injuring several spectators and runners. Scratches for that night's game against the Boston Bruins, the players changed their plans at the last minute and elected to return to their hotel for a nap instead. "Sure enough I wake up from a nap and have a bunch of text messages. I turn on the TV ... it was just a twist of fate. It's definitely something that's hard to think about it. Thank goodness we didn't go", said O'Brien. [21] [22]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2004–05 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP5416183451
2004–05U.S. NTDP Juniors NAHL 4010122221
2005–06U.S. NTDP U18USDP5117244176
2005–06U.S. NTDP U18NAHL136101614
2006–07 University of Minnesota WCHA 43781551
2007–08 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 70213455661226814
2008–09 Seattle ThunderbirdsWHL6327356255510110
2008–09 Binghamton Senators AHL 60110
2009–10 Binghamton SenatorsAHL76891749
2010–11 Ottawa Senators NHL 60002
2010–11 Binghamton SenatorsAHL74243256672334712
2011–12 Ottawa SenatorsNHL28336470110
2011–12 Binghamton SenatorsAHL27771410
2012–13 Ottawa SenatorsNHL295168
2013–14 Binghamton SenatorsAHL511118294621122
2014–15 Metallurg Novokuznetsk KHL 222101230
2014–15 Hershey Bears AHL3210192926103148
2015–16 New Jersey Devils NHL40002
2015–16 Albany Devils AHL561919384862354
2016–17 San Antonio Rampage AHL539152442
2017–18 Ottawa SenatorsNHL100110
2017–18 Belleville Senators AHL6013162944
2018–19 Belleville SenatorsAHL111234
2019–20 Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers DEL 1511210
NHL totals7785131670110

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2005 United States U17 5th52356
2006 United States WJC18 Gold medal icon.svg63146
2007 United StatesWJC18Silver medal icon.svg734712
2009 United States WJC 5th61342
Junior totals249112026

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Binghamton Senators</span> Former American ice hockey team

The Binghamton Senators were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) that played from 2002 to 2017. Nicknamed the B-Sens, they played in Binghamton, New York, at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena. The B-Sens were minor league affiliates of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. In 2017, the B-Sens' franchise was relocated by the Ottawa Senators to become the Belleville Senators. Binghamton then replaced the franchise with the Binghamton Devils, the AHL franchise of the New Jersey Devils.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cody Bass</span> Ice hockey player

Cody Bass is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played for the Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Senators drafted Bass in the fourth round, 95th overall during the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Kelly (ice hockey)</span> Canadian player and coach (born 1980)

Christopher Kelly is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and current assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. Kelly played for the Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was a member of the Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup-winning team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt Kleinendorst</span> American professional ice hockey coach (born 1960)

Kurt Kleinendorst is an American professional ice hockey coach. Since January 2022, he is head coach of the Iserlohn Roosters from the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Kleinendorst played four seasons at Providence College and was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence Nycholat</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Lawrence D. Nycholat is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks and the Colorado Avalanche.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">André Benoit</span> Canadian ice hockey defenceman

André Benoit is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played for several professional teams including the Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres and the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL), Södertälje SK, Tappara and Malmö Redhawks in Europe, as well as Spartak Moscow of the KHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike McKenna (ice hockey)</span> American ice hockey player

Mike McKenna is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. McKenna was selected in the 6th round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators and played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes, Dallas Stars, Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Falk</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1988)

Justin Falk is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He last played with the Belleville Senators in the American Hockey League (AHL). He made his National Hockey League debut in the 2009–10 season with the Minnesota Wild, and has since played for the New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Buffalo Sabres. Justin is the current General Manager and Head Coach for the Winkler Flyers in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Carey (ice hockey)</span> American ice hockey player (born 1988)

Paul Charles Carey is an American coach and former professional ice hockey center who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). After being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Carey also played for the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Djurgårdens IF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Wiercioch</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Patrick Wiercioch is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has formerly played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Ottawa Senators, the team who drafted him in 2008, and the Colorado Avalanche. Wiercioch was born in Burnaby, British Columbia, and grew up in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cody Goloubef</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1989)

Cody Goloubef is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent who most recently played for SC Bern of the National League (NL). Goloubef was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round, 37th overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Goloubef was selected to represent Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hubert Labrie</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Hubert Labrie is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Hammond (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1988)

Andrew Robert Hammond is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils. Nicknamed the "Hamburglar", he rose to fame in 2014–15 when he was called up from the minors and led the Senators to a 20–1–2 record to clinch a previously unthinkable Stanley Cup playoff berth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Randell (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Tyler Randell is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward. Randell was selected by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colin White (ice hockey, born 1997)</span> American ice hockey player (born 1997)

Colin Andrew White is an American professional ice hockey center for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 21st overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. White has also previously played for the Florida Panthers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 2017–18 AHL season was the 82nd season of the American Hockey League. The regular season ran from October 6, 2017, to April 15, 2018. The 2018 Calder Cup playoffs followed the conclusion of the regular season. The Toronto Marlies won their first Calder Cup in seven games over the Texas Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belleville Senators</span> American Hockey League team in Belleville, Ontario

The Belleville Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) that began play in the 2017–18 season as the top minor league affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Ottawa Senators. Based in Belleville, Ontario, the Senators play their home games at CAA Arena. The franchise was previously based out of Binghamton, New York, as the Binghamton Senators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Binghamton Devils</span> Former ice hockey team

The Binghamton Devils were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) that played from 2017 to 2021 as the top minor league affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s New Jersey Devils.

Shane Bowers is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bowers was drafted in the first round, 28th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He has also played for the Colorado Avalanche.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J.C. Beaudin</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1997)

Jean-Christophe "J.C." Beaudin is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for Grizzlys Wolfsburg in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He was selected 71st overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

References

  1. "Jim O'Brien, Cade Fairchild and Patrick White Named to 2007 U.S. National Under-18 Team". University of Minnesota. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  2. 1 2 3 "Senators go college route". Ottawa Citizen . Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
  3. 1 2 "Ottawa uses first-round pick on University of Minnesota center Jim O'Brien". CBC. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  4. "2007 NHL Draft Tracker". TSN . Retrieved June 22, 2007.
  5. "Jim O'Brien". hockeysfuture.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
  6. "Senators select O'Brien with top pick". Ottawa Senators . Retrieved June 23, 2007.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. "Nick Foligno". Hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
  8. "Brian Lee". hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
  9. "Ottawa Senators at Columbus Blue Jackets Game Recap". National Hockey League. December 31, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  10. "Senators re-sign O'Brien to two-year contract". Ottawa Senators. July 18, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  11. "B Sens not coming back". Press & Sun-Bulletin. July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  12. "Bears claim forward O'Brien off waivers". Hershey Bears. December 26, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  13. "Devils sign free agent forward O'Brien". New Jersey Devils. July 1, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  14. "Colorado inks eight to contracts". Colorado Avalanche. July 1, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  15. "Avalanche reduces roster to 30". Colorado Avalanche. October 2, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  16. "Senators announce opening night roster". Belleville Senators. October 5, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  17. "Sens ink O'brien to AHL deal". Belleville Senators. October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  18. "Senators waive Burrows, Oduya; sign centre O'Brien to two-way deal". Sportsnet.ca. February 25, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  19. Medaglia, Craig (February 27, 2018). "Game Day 5: Sens @ Capitals". NHL.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  20. "Jim O'Brien signing strengthen's the Ice Tigers" (in German). Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers. June 18, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  21. Brenann, Don (April 16, 2013). "Ottawa Senators scratches feeling fortunate after making late decision not to go to Boston Marathon finish line". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  22. "Ottawa Senators scratches feeling fortunate after making late decision not to go to Boston Marathon finish line". Canoe.ca. April 16, 2013. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Ottawa Senators first round draft pick
2007
Succeeded by