Overreacting to the day’s news has become commonplace in today’s society. That’s why it should come as no surprise that there were plenty of anonymous keyboard warriors looking to throw their two cents into the ring Tuesday night when news broke that Providence College freshman forward Jay O’Brien had entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.
There was plenty of interest in the decision of the Hingham, Mass., native and Thayer Academy alum given he was a first round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2018 NHL Draft.
O’Brien produced just two goals and three assists in a freshman season that saw him miss time due to concussions as well as a one-game ban for a violation of team rules.
It was certainly a disappointing season for a player selected 19th overall in the NHL Draft. However, jumping to judgement and declaring O’Brien a bust might be a little brazen.