With the 30th pick in the 2018 SB Nation NHL Mock Draft, the Red Wings take center Jay O’Brien out of the USHS-Prep’s Thayer Academy.
After taking defenseman Adam Boqvist at 6th overall, we decided to take a center with our final 1st round pick. O’Brien had staggering numbers as a senior with the Thayer Academy Tigers (a program that has produced players like Charlie Coyle, Tony Amonte, Jeremy Roenick), his 43 goals and 80 points were enough to lead the league in scoring. The all-American pivot is set to play with Providence College this upcoming season.