With the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, the Seattle Kraken selected forward Jake O'Brien from the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The young center, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 177 pounds, is lauded for his hockey sense, vision, and playmaking abilities.
O'Brien is coming off a strong season with the Brantford Bulldogs, where he recorded 98 points (32 goals, 66 assists) in 66 regular-season games. He served as an alternate captain for the first time and finished third in goals and points and second in assists on the Bulldogs. O'Brien also contributed nine power-play goals and three game-winning goals. His performance included two hat tricks, one of which was a five-point game (3 goals, 2 assists). He had 26 multi-point games, including one five-point outing, four four-point games, and nine three-point efforts. In the OHL playoffs, he added three goals and eight assists in 11 games.
Prior to his stellar 2024-25 season, O'Brien made an immediate impact in his rookie OHL season, posting 64 points (13 goals, 51 assists) in 61 games. He was named OHL Rookie of the Year and earned spots on the CHL All-Rookie Team and OHL First All-Rookie Team. He also led all OHL rookies in both assists and points that season.
Before joining the OHL, O'Brien played for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). In the 2022–23 season, he captained the team and posted 16 goals and 17 assists over 34 games. At the 2023 OHL Cup, he led the team in scoring with seven goals and ten assists in seven games, setting a new franchise record for points in the tournament. His standout performance earned him the Tim Adams Memorial Trophy as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Internationally, O'Brien has represented Team Canada on two occasions. In 2023, he played for Canada Red at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The following year, he helped Canada's U18 team capture gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
O'Brien's selection continues a trend for the Kraken, who have focused on drafting centers in the first round. He is expected to attend the Kraken's fifth annual development camp, held at Kraken Community Iceplex from June 30 to July 4. Born on June 16, 2007, O'Brien is a Toronto native.
