Dennis O'Brien (ice hockey)

Dennis O'Brien
Born	(1949-06-10) June 10, 1949 Port Hope, Ontario, Canada
Occupation	Professional ice hockey defenseman (retired)
Years active	1968–1980
Known for	NHL defenseman, played for Minnesota North Stars, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Barons, Boston Bruins

Dennis Francis O'Brien (born June 10, 1949) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman who competed in the National Hockey League (NHL), most notably participating in the 1978 Stanley Cup Finals as a member of the Boston Bruins.

He is also recognized as the uncle of former NHL athlete Shane O'Brien.

Playing career

O'Brien was chosen 14th overall by the Minnesota North Stars during the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft. The majority of his professional tenure, spanning from the 1970–71 season through 1977–78, was spent with the North Stars. In his concluding year with Minnesota, he appeared in 13 games prior to being traded to the Colorado Rockies. After playing 16 games with Colorado, he was then traded to the Cleveland Barons. Following 23 games there, he was moved to the Boston Bruins, where he played 16 games. This remarkable sequence established an NHL record for the highest number of teams represented within a single season—a feat later equaled by Dave McLlwain, Mark Arcobello, and Jussi Jokinen.

Following this period, O'Brien spent portions of two additional seasons with Boston before ending his playing career.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1968–69	St. Catharines Black Hawks	OHA		52	1	19	20	235		—	—	—	—	—
1969–70	Iowa Stars	CHL		72	2	18	20	331		11	0	2	2	30
1970–71	Cleveland Barons	AHL		27	1	6	7	100		—	—	—	—	—
1970–71	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		27	3	2	5	29		9	0	0	0	20
1971–72	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		70	3	6	9	108		3	0	1	1	11
1972–73	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		74	3	11	14	75		6	1	0	1	38
1973–74	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		77	5	12	17	166		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		56	6	10	16	125		—	—	—	—	—
1975–76	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		78	1	14	15	187		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		75	6	18	24	114		2	0	0	0	4
1977–78	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		13	0	2	2	32		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Colorado Rockies	NHL		16	0	2	2	12		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Cleveland Barons	NHL		23	0	3	3	31		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Boston Bruins	NHL		16	2	3	5	29		14	0	1	1	28
1978–79	Boston Bruins	NHL		64	2	8	10	107		—	—	—	—
1978–79	Rochester Americans	AHL		2	0	0	2	—		—	—	—
1979–80	Boston Bruins	NHL		3	0	0	2	—		—	—	—
1979–80	Binghamton Dusters	AHL		6	2	5	7	65		—	—	—	—
NHL totals				592	31	91	122	1017		34	1	2	3	101

See also

List of family relationships within the NHL