“It was obviously a whirlwind losing in the playoffs and then coming here,” said O’Brien, who’ll turn 19 on June 16. “Then, just getting into the lineup was pretty exciting. My mom and step-dad flew down. So, it was pretty cool getting in the lineup tonight and playing.”<\/p>\n
Wearing jersey No. 44, Brien did not take a shot but he made some nice passes, which is the part of his game that is the most polished. He also made some smart plays, including a moment when his stick broke on defense and he did not shy away from positioning himself in front of the puck defending without the stick.<\/p>\n
“It was very fast, very physical,” O’Brien said of his first pro action. “Kind of what I was expecting. I did a lot of video before, preparing for this game. Definitely a lot faster than junior was for me and I’m going to continue to get better here.”<\/p>\n
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Coachella Valley Firebirds forward Jake O’Brien looks for an open shot during the third period of Game 1 of the Pacific Division Finals at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Wednesday, May 13, 2026.<\/p>\n
O’Brien said that he expects to be in the lineup again on Friday for Game 2.<\/p>\n
“I feel like I got better, shift by shift in this first game,” O’Brien said. “I think by Game 2 I’ll get my feet under me and I’m going to be better.”<\/p>\n
O’Brien figures to be in the Kraken lineup sooner than later, but there’s a chance he could play for the Firebirds next season, too. Starting with the 2026-27 season, the NHL, AHL, and CHL have agreed to a major rule change that eliminates the mandatory “return rule,” which previously forced drafted 19-year-olds to either make the NHL or go back to major junior, preventing them from developing in the AHL. Teams are limited to one such player per team.<\/p>\n
But the real question right now is how much he can help the Firebirds as they seek what would be a third Pacific Division title in four years.<\/p>\n
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Coachella Valley Firebirds forward Jake O’Brien takes questions during a press conference after Game 1 of the Pacific Division Finals at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Wednesday, May 13, 2026.<\/p>\n
Head coach Derek Laxdal said after Game 1 that he believes that O’Brien will be able to contribute in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n
“He’s a very cerebral offensive player,” Laxdal said. “Here’s a kid who is 18-years-old and getting thrown into his first American Hockey League game and I thought he showed well. I thought he didn’t shrink in the moment. He did a really good job on hanging onto the puck and making some plays. Obviously, he’ll be better the next game that he plays.”<\/p>\n
Andrew John covers the Firebirds for The Desert Sun and USA TODAY. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.<\/p>\n