O'Brien officially leaves Minnesota

Last week, rumors started from an article in The Ottawa Citizen that Minnesota sophomore Jimmy O'Brien would be leaving the team and signing with the Ottawa Senators, the team who took him in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Minnesota head coach Don Lucia refuted those statements in both the Thursday and Saturday editions of the Star Tribune. In both instances, Lucia said he spoke directly with O'Brien, who told his head coach that he had no intentions of turning pro and that there was nothing to the rumors.

Less than one week after those claims, O'Brien has decided to forgo his final three seasons at Minnesota. He is no longer listed on the U of M's official team roster.

WCHA Blog's Take: It's certainly odd to see a player like O'Brien leave early, but it's in very poor taste on O'Brien's part to tell his head coach he's staying, and then just days later turn around and sign a pro deal.

This leaves the Gophers with just seven defensemen on the roster, with three of them being freshmen.

Lucia says O'Brien will remain at Minnesota

After a story ran in Wednesday's edition of the Ottawa Citizen claiming that University of Minnesota sophomore Jimmy O'Brien would be leaving the Gopher program, Minnesota head coach Don Lucia refuted that claim in Thursday's Star Tribune.

"There is nothing to that story," Lucia told the Star Tribune. "Everybody else is coming back."

Minnesota's O'Brien rumored to be signing with Ottawa

Minnesota sophomore Jimmy O'Brien, a first round pick by the Ottawa Senators in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, is leaning toward leaving the Gopher program, according to an article in today's edition of The Ottawa Citizen.

From the article:

Look for Ottawa's top 2007 draft pick, Jim O'Brien, to sign with the Senators and forego the balance of his college career. O'Brien, a 6-2 centre drafted 29th overall, was the youngest player in college hockey last season, as a 17-year-old with the University of Minnesota. A source says O'Brien, now 18, is leaning toward turning professional.

WCHA Blog's Take: O'Brien was the youngest player in college hockey last year, and played most of his minutes as the Gophers' fourth line center. This year, he was slated to shift back to defense, a position he has played in the past.

While this wouldn't be a crushing blow to the Gophers, it's an odd move by O'Brien if it comes to fruition. He's obviously no where near ready to play in the NHL or AHL, so he would likely play major junior hockey in Canada.