Two T-Birds fly the coop. Hickey, O'Brien headed to AHL

The Seattle Thunderbirds have confirmed that defenseman Thomas Hickey and center Jim O'Brien are embarking on the next level of their hockey careers. Hickey is set to join the Manchester Monarchs, the Los Angeles Kings' AHL affiliate. O'Brien is on his way to join the Ottawa Senators' AHL team in Binghamton, New York. Binghamton has posted a news release on its site about O'Brien's impendnig arrival.

Jim O'Brien/Photo: David Pitcher/Seattle Thunderbirds

O'Brien played 133 games over two seasons with the Thunderbirds. He had 48 goals and 69 assists for 117 points. In playoff action, he notched 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points in 17 games. The Ottawa Senators selected him 29th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Thomas Hickey/Photo: David Pitcher/Seattle Thunderbirds

Hickey played all four years with the T-Birds, scoring 39 goals and 138 assists for 177 points in 262 games. He played 32 playoff games and notched 7 goals and 17 assists for 24 points. Hickey also captained the T-Birds for the past two seasons and Captained Team Canada to its 5th consecutive gold medal in the World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa this year. The Los Angeles Kings selected Hickey 4th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

I had the pleasure of interviewing both Thomas Hickey and Jim O'Brien this season.

To read O'Brien's interview, click here.

To read Hickey's interview, cilck here.

To read Hickey's reflections of Team Canada's historic win, click here.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU BOTH!!!

We'll miss you.