Above photo: filmmaker and Kraken investor Jerry Bruckheimer (left) and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman (right) flank Seattle Kraken 2025 1st round draft pick Jake O’Brien.
For the 4th time in five NHL Drafts, the Seattle Kraken on Friday chose a center in the 1st round of the NHL Draft. For 2025, the center is Jake O’Brien, a sublime playmaker (32 goals, 66 assists last season) for the OHL Brantford Bulldogs.
Even though O’Brien is likely several years of development away, the center position in Seattle figures to stay crowded. For the 2025-26 season, returning are Shane Wright, Matty Beniers and Chandler Stephenson. Added to the mix will be newly acquired Freddy Gaudreau and prospect Berkly Catton.
So it makes sense for would-be centers to also be proficient on the wing. At a media availability, O’Brien told me he’s played wing and is comfortable there. The Toronto native added that the waiting has been hard. “It’s been stressful. A lot of weight lifted off my shoulders now. I’m really excited to be a Seattle Kraken. It’s been a dream of mine since I was little.”
Self-diagnosing areas of needed improvement: “I feel like I need to get better at my skating ability, working on my faceoffs, and in the gym getting stronger.” And his strengths? I’m very good at finding teammates through little holes and little seams. I’m a good 200-foot player, and I make others around me better.
O’Brien is expected to attend Seattle’s annual development camp, which will be held at Kraken Community Iceplex from June 30 to July 4.
What They’re Saying About Jake O’Brien
Seattle Kraken X Screengrab
Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet: OHL coaches in the Eastern Conference voted him the smartest player. Deadly on the power play. He’s slight of frame at 6-2. There’s no question he’s going to add some strength.
Colby Armstrong, Sportsnet: What an electric offensive talent. He’s got it in spades. When a team works the low-to-high cycle and they come off the wall, he opens up all kinds of options. He sees where to dish it.
FloHockey.TV: His incredible skill and creativity add more scoring pop to a team that certainly needs it long term. There’s a likelihood recent pick Berkly Catton is moved to the wing. O’Brien might have to go that way, too. They still need to address their shallow defense prospect pool.
Megan Chakra, ESPN: Elias Petterson. Offensive creativity, moves pucks to dangerous areas. Has playmaking and vision, seeing the ice, which the Kraken do like in their players.
Kevin Weekes, ESPN: For Seattle, they need a little more juice offensively. I love the rink and sweaters and branding, but it’s time now for them to take the next step with players who play an exciting brand.
Emily Kaplan, ESPN: A very smart player. He comes from a hockey family. His mom and dad played at a high level. His mom actually had a hockey school.
TheHockeyWriters.com: What really stood out about O’Brien this season was his shot and shot selection. The combination of high-end IQ, playmaking vision, patience and deceptiveness with the puck makes him dangerous and extremely difficult to contain in open ice and high danger area.
His understanding of the defensive side of the game should only boost his chances of being a contributor at the next level.
EliteProspects.com: His playmaking is second to none in the draft class, and, in terms of creativity, he may be in a tier of his own. When he can’t spot a lane, he creates it, shifting defenders or faking a shot before dropping the puck to teammates.