Jim O'Brien

James O'Brien (born January 29, 1989) is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently a member of the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League. In 2010–11, he made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut with the Ottawa Senators.

Playing career
O'Brien played junior hockey for the United States National Under-18 Team in the NAHL from 2004 until 2006. He then entered the University of Minnesota and played a season of hockey as a 17 year-old. He had to receive an exception to play in university hockey; he was the youngest player in United States college ice hockey.

O'Brien was drafted 29th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. O'Brien played defense before switching in high-school to "play as a power-forward center-ice man" His final Central Scouting rank was 38th. He was picked by Ottawa general manager Bryan Murray because "size matters". O'Brien is a strong skater, he blocks shots and he is a penalty killer. It was the third year in a row that the Senators picked a US-born player. They picked Nick Foligno 28th overall during the 2006 NHL Draft, and Brian Lee ninth overall in 2005.

O'Brien played the following 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons with the major-junior Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. On March 30, 2009, he turned professional, joining the Binghamton Senators, Ottawa's AHL affiliate.

O'Brien made his National Hockey League debut on December 31, 2010, dressing for the Senators in an away game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He would play in 6 games in total with Ottawa during the season, registering no points.