Jake O’Brien cementing himself as greatest Bulldog in franchise history

Article content

Jake O’Brien is quickly cementing himself as one of the best Bulldogs in franchise history.

Article content

Facing the Brampton Steelheads at the TD Civic Centre last Saturday night, O’Brien collected an assist to hit 200 career points, surpassing Arthur Kaliyev as the fastest Bulldog to 200 points

Article content

Article content

Following a 7-2 win against the Sarnia Sting on Friday at home, the 18-year-old has 202 points (54 goals and 148 assists) in 147 career games.

“It’s a huge honour,” O’ Brien said of getting to 200 points and doing it the fastest.

“I’m really proud to get that to that point but I couldn’t have got there without everyone else, my linemates and teammates.”

Heading into Friday’s game against the Sting, O’Brien was the OHL’s leading scorer with nine goals and 31 assists, putting him on pace for 132 points. If he was to actually hit that mark, he would break a pair of Bulldogs records, topping Nick Lardis (117) for points in a season and Patrick Thomas (253) for points in a career.

Article content

Already owning the Bulldogs rookie scoring record of 64 points from his 2023-24 season, O’Brien has taken time to reflect on his short OHL career.

“I felt coming into the OHL that first year and producing like I did, and then producing the last two years like I have, it’s something to look back on and see how I’ve improved my game over the years,” he said.

Bulldogs head coach Jay McKee knew the team had a special player when they drafted O’Brien eighth overall in 2023.

“I’ve said since his first year as a 16-year-old, he’s a special player,” said McKee.

“He’s gifted in the sense that the game just seems to slow down for him. He has the ability to process things that are happening before they happen and he has the vision and play-making (ability) to make plays that you don’t even see are there.”

Article content

McKee has been around some great junior aged players, including the 2014-15 Erie Otters that included Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat and Connor McDavid.

“McDavid was a whole different level,” McKee said.

“I think Jake has attributes that are superior to Connor’s but Connor was the overall package. They’re two very different players but both elite in their own categories.”

Despite being a prolific point producer, O’Brien isn’t standing pat when it comes to his game. Selected eighth overall by the Seattle Kraken in the 2025 draft, O’Brien reached out to the NHL team for advice in one area of his game where he feels he’s lacking – the faceoff dot.

“I have a lot to improve on, obviously with my defensive game and faceoffs,” said O’Brien, who was winning just 44.7 per cent of his faceoffs prior to Friday’s game.

Article content

“They’ve helped me out with that and I’m doing video and stuff. It’s a big thing for me. I want to get to that next level next year so whatever I can do right now, improving after practice and before practice, I really want to do that.”

O’Brien has received direction lately from Zac Dalpe, Seattle’s player development consultant. Dalpe, a Paris native who recently retired after a lengthy NHL and AHL career, said when a player of O’Brien’s caliber reaches out, it’s impressive.

“The fact he’s leading the OHL in scoring and still thinks he needs to work on his game, which everyone can, that to me says a lot about his character,” said Dalpe, noting how easy it is to work with O’Brien because of his hockey IQ.

“The fact he wants to get better in certain areas of his game is a huge positive.”

Article content

One of the biggest things on O’Brien’s mind has to be winning an OHL and Memorial Cup championship. Captaining the Toronto Jr. Canadiens to an OHL Cup in his U16 AAA season, O’Brien knows a thing or two about being on winning teams.

“I think we’re a lot better than that team was,” said O’Brien. “With the team we have on paper, and how close we are, this team is special.

“I can’t wait to see what we do.”

Against the Sting, Brantford was away to the races after scoring on three of its first five shots.

Caleb Malhotra had a big game against Sarnia, scoring two goals and adding a pair of assists. Adam Benak also had two goals while Adam Jiricek, Sam McCue and Marek Vanacker recorded a pair of assists apiece.

Dylan Tsherna, Cooper Dennis and Luca Testa rounded out the scoring for Brantford with Ryder Boulton, Owen Protz, Edison Engle, Vladimir Dravecky and Parker Holmes got one assist each.

Article content

David Egorov made 31 saves to earn the win in goal. Patrick Quinlan started for the Sting, allowing three goals on eight shots. Evan Maillet made 11 saves and gave up four goals.

Brantford (18-0-4-1) remains undefeated in regulation. Sarnia falls to 6-12-3-1.

Brantford plays a three-in-three next weekend, playing in Brampton on Friday at 7 p.m. and Oshawa on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. while hosting Kitchener on Saturday at 7 p.m.

DOG BITES . . . Former Bulldog Florian Xhekaj was heading to the show on Friday night. Xhekaj was with the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket but was called up to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday. The Canadiens were scheduled to play the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. It was unclear whether he was going to be in the lineup or not . . . Layne Gallacher (lower-body) remains out of the lineup and is week-to-week and Nik Rossetto (undisclosed) is day-to-day . . . The OHL laid down the hammer on Brampton Steepheads defenceman Luke Dragusica. In a game last week against Oshawa, Dragusica was assessed a match penalty for a slash to Brady Blaseg’s head. The OHL announced on Friday that Dragusica would be suspended the remainder of this season, including the playoffs.

Article content