Kraken Prospect Jake O’Brien Receiving Treatment for Knee Tendinitis
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - With NHL training camps inching closer, we’re getting some signings of Kraken players and prospects at different events, from the Shoulder Check Showcase (Matty Beniers and John Hayden are attending) to the World Junior Summer Showcase. The latter event features some of the best young up-and-comers with sights set on the NHL, including Seattle Thunderbirds alum Braeden Cootes and Cameron Schmidt, as well as Kraken prospects Chase Reid, Blake Fiddler, Casey Mutryn, Ola Palme, and Loke Krantz.
Top prospect Jake O’Brien was invited by Team Canada to attend, but is unable to do so, as he’s in Seattle receiving treatment for knee tendinitis. Reported by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, O’Brien is dealing with the issue but “would be at [training] camp if he could be,” as he looks to crack the Kraken roster after being selected eighth overall in the 2025 entry draft by Seattle.
Forward prospect Jake O’Brien on the ice of rink one (Starbucks rink) during 2026 Seattle Kraken Development Camp at the Kraken Community Iceplex. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)
O’Brien is coming off a monster season with the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL, posting 93 total points (28 goals, 65 assists) as the team’s captain across 53 regular-season games. His point totals continued to impress in the postseason, with 23 total points (6 goals, 17 assists) through 15 playoff games as Brantford made it all the way to the conference finals before falling to Barrie. O’Brien led the OHL with 1.75 points per game and leaves the Bulldogs as their career record-holder in assists (182) and points (255), and was named a finalist for the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy.
The Kraken were able to pay more attention to O’Brien this past season, as player development consultant Zac Dalpe resides in Brantford, attending 33 of Jake’s games this past year. Dalpe often came out to the rink to work with O’Brien before his practice with the Bulldogs, primarily on shots and faceoffs.
“Everyone sees (O’Brien’s) high hockey IQ, the elite playmaking that was on full display this year. He had a great year, as far as offensive production. Where I come in is just the little nuances of trying to become a pro.”
Forward prospect Jake O’Brien on the ice of rink one (Starbucks rink) during 2026 Seattle Kraken Development Camp at the Kraken Community Iceplex. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)
O’Brien made his AHL debut with the Coachella Valley Firebirds following Brantford’s elimination, playing in four games with the Kraken’s affiliate and posting just two shots in his time. Jake was playing in a fourth-line center role and was on the second power-play unit, so not a ton of opportunity to shine but at least an opportunity to get his feet wet.
“It was a whirlwind losing in the [OHL] playoffs and then coming here. Getting in the lineup was pretty exciting... It was very fast, very physical. It was kind of what I was expecting. I did a lot of video before, getting ready for this game. It was a lot faster than junior was for me. I feel like I got better shift by shift. By Game 2, I’m going to be better.”
O’Brien has a tough hill to climb if he wants to make the Kraken roster out of training camp this fall, considering the growth he’ll need to make to improve at just the AHL level, outside of the fact that Seattle seems hellbent on keeping their forward spots jammed up. There are some positives, considering how strong he looked in the OHL and the good signs he showed in his limited AHL action, such as going to the net front regularly and using his quality passing ability. But, despite those good marks, Jake seems destined for extended time with the Firebirds next season, which is probably the best-case scenario for him to truly refine his qualities.
Here’s hoping this knee tendinitis doesn’t affect him long-term and that he’s impressing at Kraken training camp when it comes around.
“[O’Brien] is a very cerebral offensive player. Here’s a kid who is 18 years old getting thrown into his first AHL game, and I thought he showed well. He didn’t shrink in the moment. He did a really good job of hanging onto the puck and making some plays. He’ll be better the next game he plays.”
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