Toronto Signs Another Top UFA College Prospect

Of all of the newly-minted free agent prospects that emerged last week out of the NCAA, no one was drafted as highly as former Philadelphia Flyers first-round pick Jay O'Brien. 

But the Flyers' window to sign their No. 19 overall selection from the 2018 NHL Draft expired last Tuesday. Just 10 days later, the Toronto Marlies have swooped in to sign O'Brien to an AHL contract to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs' affiliate. 

Jay O'Brien, one-time Flyers first-round pick from 2018 (No. 19), who they chose not to sign, has signed a one-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies.

— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) August 25, 2023

O'Brien had a rough start to his college career at Providence, as the center managed just five points in 25 games in his freshman season. But after taking a bridge year, he transferred to Boston University, where he ramped up his prospect pedigree once again, posting 70 points in his 79 games over the last three seasons with the Terriers.

With the Marlies, O'Brien re-joins his former Boston U. teammate Robert Mastrosimone, another former NHL Draft selection that became a free agent last week. He was perhaps the second-most intriguing unsigned NCAA prospect, and Toronto scooped him up as well. 

Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports