This is the fourth part of my “The Newest Ducklings” series on the 2012 draftees by the Anaheim Ducks. The previous part was on D Brian Cooper. The pick before Cooper was used on fellow defenseman Andrew O’Brien.
Andrew O’Brien is a 19-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario. He was born on November 21, 1992 and shoots left-handed. He is listed at 6’3″-200 lbs. O’Brien was the second pick that the Ducks had in the fourth round, 108th overall.
O’Brien has played the last two seasons for the Chicoutimi Saguenees of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Before that, he spent a year with the Dixie BeeHives, 2009-2010, and a short period with the Milton Icehawks, 2008-2009, both in the Ontario Junior A Hockey League (OJHL). O’Brien never really put up some decent offensive numbers until this previous season with the Sagueneens. He recorded 8 goals and 21 assists for 29 points in 68 games played. He also had 95 PIM and was a +2, his first time being above zero in plus/minus since playing junior hockey. However, O’Brien is not known for his offense. If you go to youtube and type in his name, what you will see the most is O’Brien engaged in a good ole hockey fight. That is what he was drafted for, to bring some nasty and toughness into the Ducks’ blue line. O’Brien was a big component to the Sagueneens playoff run last season. He stepped up his game and lead the Sagueneens to a semifinal appearance against the Saint John Sea Dogs. During those playoffs, O’Brien tallied 1 goal and 9 assists for 10 points in 18 games, with 31 PIM.
Like I said before, the Ducks drafted him because he likes to beat guys to a pulp. Many scouts did not even think O’Brien was going to get drafted, but the Ducks used one of their two fourth round picks on him. So, the Ducks had to have really liked this guy. It is nice to have a guy like this on the blue line, and I don’t really see a guy on the Ducks who is as much of a fighter as O’Brien. The only guy that is close would be Sheldon Brookbank. He will most likely finish out his time with Chicoutimi and then will probably join the Norfolk Admirals. I kind of think he’s going to be a defenseman who splits time between the NHL and the AHL.
Next up is center Kevin Roy.
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