Jay O’Brien (COM’23) averaged a couple factors for each video game last year, and therefore 12 months try best the BU men’s room hockey cluster within the situations for every video game to the 2nd seasons in a row. Photo because of the Matt Woolverton
Terrier import goes facing their old cluster-Providence College-on the weekend
He or she is scored five thus far this season, and work out him new BU men’s room hockey commander for the activities for each game (0.93). It is a far cry out of their hard freshman promotion at the Providence College or university, but three years later, O’Brien (COM’23) has returned within the Hockey East, which have BU, possesses made many of their second opportunity.
“I recently decided I’d enough incomplete business,” O’Brien claims. “I wanted to come back so you’re able to Hockey East to prove to me and you will persuade the folks around me personally what kind of athlete I am, and i discover I’ve been starting one to.”
A great Hingham, Bulk., native, O’Brien starred throughout the their high school many years lower than former Terrier Tony Amonte on Thayer Academy, and you will however usually esteemed the college online game. For each and every February, he would look forward to Boston’s storied men’s Beanpot tournament.
“I’d been dreaming to be a college hockey member,” O’Brien claims. “In my opinion the school game is the closest material you’re going to locate so you can professional. If you want to feel a player, I do believe college or university is best answer to do so.”
O’Brien decided to gamble within Providence College just after senior school. “At that time, I suppose Providence is actually ideal school for me,” he says. “We the amount of time in the a young age.” But immediately after his freshman seasons produced five activities inside twenty-five game, he decided the time had come to maneuver to the. “I felt that it had been an educated circulate in my situation,” according to him.
O’Brien have submitted one or more part of four out-of BU’s history seven video game-which have three multipoint game throughout that increase. Images by the Patrick Donnelly
Just after becoming written by Philadelphia Flyers nineteenth total in the 2018 NHL Write, O’Brien kept the fresh new Friars less than the following year. On the likelihood of collegiate, junior, and you can top-notch hockey avenues ahead of your, he was unsure from the and that find more assistance to follow.
“There was a time in which I didn’t determine if I became attending come back to university,” according to him. “There were a lot of more organizations and leagues you to definitely achieved aside. I attempted to talk to as much as I am able to, in order to obtain thoughts and you will pay attention to him or her away.”
The guy eventually seasons toward Penticton Vees-a course which had before invited five current Terriers. “Penticton try ultimately where I experienced extremely home,” O’Brien claims. “Down and up, they truly are merely most useful-level. You earn addressed such as an expert. I just thought that is the right place, where I became browsing grow my personal game.”
The alteration off views produced a difference in his show into the frost. He tallied 66 affairs within the 46 video game on the Vees, averaging an objective and you will a help in per playoff games just before this new postseason is slashed quick by the start of the newest COVID-19 pandemic. Owing to it all, no matter if, he left considering finishing university-the question try where.
“I generated the possibility in advance of I went so you can Penticton that I happened to be planning come back to university,” he says, and if he was ong his choices for school, Boston College or university is actually an earlier contender.
“They certainly were the initial college or university to arrive out to me personally whenever I joined the latest import webpage-it was literally a single day I found myself regarding site one to I had a call,” he states. “In my opinion there is something awesome in the being a student athlete, particularly only at BU.”
O’Brien founded BU’s most readily useful line in the a good six-cuatro winnings facing reigning NCAA winner School of Massachusetts on the herst. Photo from the Patrick Donnelly
“From the enjoying him as the an early on guy,” claims Terrier lead coach Albie O’Connell (CAS’99). “Whether it failed to a bit workout [on Providence], he could be a person that people spotted numerous.”
They don’t simply take far persuading. “We variety of knew instantly this particular is the place I planned to end up being,” O’Brien says. “It had been just one of stuff that sensed inside my abdomen and i also trapped inside.” With his earliest video game within the an effective Terrier uniform throughout that 2020-2021 12 months is facing Providence. As the chance might have it, the guy obtained BU’s first mission up against his dated cluster.
“It was higher to see your get that one out of the earliest [period],” group captain Logan Cockerill (SHA’22) told you following online game. “We had been really delighted for your.”
O’Brien accomplished the year sharing the group lead in wants (5) and you will doing next inside the items (10) despite lookin in only five video game through the COVID-shortened venture. He has never missed a defeat in the 2nd year during the BU, tallying thirteen situations from inside the 14 online game so far this year.
“Whenever he is held it’s place in the latest roster, he is already been great for people,” O’Connell states. “We’re a unique hockey team whenever he’s within.” For his area, O’Brien says he is thankful into the service out of O’Connell and you will the remainder training team.
“The biggest thing could be only having fun with depend on, honestly,” he says. The coaches keeps set myself on the correct places-[I enjoy] the fact brand new instructions employees possess in the me personally.”
The Terriers, and O’Brien, tend to skate against Providence twice regarding the upcoming weeks, this Week-end, January 31, home at Providence to the February 10. Even when he has got faced the latest Friars prior to, he states that have admirers regarding the strengthening, as opposed to this past year when they was in fact banned because of the pandemic standards, will make this new matchups so much more important.
“I’m happy discover back once again to Providence and you may enjoy in front ones admirers, while having them become here and you may play before all of our admirers,” O’Brien states. “Do not such as him or her and so they hate all of us, so it makes for good series.”
Fans can find seats towards video game ranging from BU and you can Providence Week-end, , on the internet and at Agganis Arena violation office, 925 Comm Ave. The game will be televised to the NESN and you can safeguarded as a result of towards the Twitter. Stick to the BU men’s hockey team for the Twitter.
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