Face Time: Top Pick Focuses on Improvement | Seattle Kraken
Jake O’Brien, the No. 8 overall pick in last summer’s NHL Draft, had an outstanding October in juniors, showcasing impressive statistics and earning the Ontario Hockey League October Player of the Month award. His team, the Brantford Bulldogs, also stands undefeated in regulation with a 13-0-3 record.
Despite these achievements, O’Brien is focused on refining key aspects of his game, particularly faceoffs across all zones. He proactively contacted Seattle Kraken’s player development staff to seek guidance in this area.
Dedicated Development Efforts
Cory Murphy, Kraken director of player development, detailed a recent video call with O’Brien:
“We had a full staff video call with Jake a couple weeks ago. It was solely to go over faceoffs. He expressed he was looking for some help at the dot.”
The Kraken’s development team includes Frans Nielsen, a Europe-based consultant with nearly 1,000 NHL games experience, and Zac Dalpe, who joined this summer with extensive knowledge of faceoff techniques from his NHL and AHL career.
“Frans has been working with our centers since he came on board in 2022,” added Murphy. “Plus, we included Zac. Jake is in good hands with them.”
Focus on Vital Details
O’Brien’s determination to improve small but crucial elements like faceoffs highlights his commitment to becoming a more complete player, beyond just his scoring stats.
Author’s summary: Jake O’Brien’s impressive start is matched by his commitment to mastering critical skills like faceoffs, supported by expert coaching from Seattle Kraken’s development staff.