An Island boy is returning home to study and play hockey at his home province’s university and is looking forward to the challenge.. 

Cornwall native Greg O’Brien has committed to the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers for the 2007-08 season. The former P.E.I. Rocket spent last season with Port Hope Predators of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League.  

“I’m looking forward to it. I liked playing at home with the Rocket,” the 20-year-old left winger told The Guardian newspaper in Charlottetown.

He says he is ready for the challenge of stepping up to university hockey and going back to school saying “from what I hear, it’s a bit of a step up from junior. Going to school will be quite a bit different (as well).”

In 63 games in his final season with the Rocket in 2005-06, O’Brien picked up 19 goals and 16 assists. With the Predators, he registered 24 goals and 21 assists in 31 games.

O’Brien said his history with Panthers’ head coach Dylan Taylor, who spent 2004-05 as an assistant coach with the Rocket, also drew him to UPEI.

“I had Dylan with the Rocket for a bit and I know what he’s like.”

Taylor said he is excited about O’Brien’s potential and sees a bright future for the Islander.

“He’s a great skater, he’s got good skills and good size,” said Taylor. “There’s tremendous upside with Greg. With the proper work ethic and focus, Greg has the potential to develop within the program into an impact player in our league.”

Taylor said it’s also nice to attract an Islander to the team.

“We always work hard and it is a goal of the program to have the top Island players play for UPEI.”  - adapted from story on www.theguardian.pe.ca