Philadelphia Flyers prospect Jay O’Brien has filed a petition with the NCAA to allow him to play at Boston University this season according to Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer. O’Brien had previously decided to leave Providence College after just one year, entered the transfer portal and committed to playing in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees while serving a year of NCAA ineligibility. While it’s not clear exactly what O’Brien has filed, there is a way to avoid the transfer year with a one-time exception but it would require Providence to agree.
O’Brien, 19, was selected 19th overall in 2018 but didn’t find much success with the Providence Friars, scoring just five points in 25 games for them last season. Add that to a scoreless effort through seven games at the World Juniors and it certainly hasn’t been the most rewarding year for the young forward. O’Brien is at development camp with the Flyers, but has not yet signed his entry-level contract.
Whether he plays in the BCHL or NCAA, he’ll have to find a way to get back on the score sheet and show the Flyers exactly why they used such a high pick on him. It would be foolish to make any assumption on his future after one frustrating season, but with more exciting prospects entering the Philadelphia pipeline he’ll have to find a way back onto his previous development track to remain among the top names.