August 13, 2007
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O'Brien the Next to Go
CHN Staff Report
MINNEAPOLIS — College hockey's exodus isn't over yet.
Minnesota forward Jim O'Brien, a first-round NHL Draft pick in June, is leaving the Gophers to play Major Junior for Seattle in the Western Hockey League.
O'Brien played just one season for the Gophers. Denver sophomore-to-be Keith Seabrook recently made a similar decision.
"I think Jim and his family have made a decision that they believe is in his best interests," Minnesota coach Don Lucia said. "Although I am disappointed by the decision and the timing, Jim's departure opens the door for another player to get more ice time and advance in his development as a hockey player."
A 6-foot, 190-pound freshman forward in 2006-07, O'Brien had seven goals and eight assists in 43 games last season.
With the similarly-early departures of defenseman Erik Johnson and Alex Goligoski, O'Brien was going to play backline this coming season.