Takin' a T/O With BT: Jeff O'Neill Just Doesn't Give Up

It first began with Gary Roberts—whom O'Neill had befriended during their time in Carolina—signing with the Florida Panthers, eliminating the opportunity for O'Neill to play alongside his good friend and one of the most legendary Leafs ever—Mats Sundin—on Toronto's top line.

In light of everything though, O'Neill put up some alright numbers with Toronto in 2005-06, posting 19 goals and 19 assists, and it seemed that O'Neill's former coach Paul Maurice was going to get the best out of him in his time in Toronto.

The 2006-07 season started well for O'Neill, as he posted 17 points in 24 games to open the season. As the games wore on though, the weight of the emotions Jeff still had over his brother Donny's death, as well as his fear of flying began to show in his play, and wear on the Leafs organization.

An NHL player with a fear of flying—that can't be a good combination.

In O'Neill's final twelve games with the Leafs, he was scoreless, and a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness ended his season on March 23rd in Buffalo.

Not long after came the news that O'Neill felt that he was done with hockey, that because of everything happening with him at that time, he needed to step back from the game.

Today though, it seems that O'Neill is ready to try it again—and his old General Manager and friend Jim Rutherford is just the person to give him that chance, as the 32 year-old O'Neill has received an invite to 'Canes camp.

For his sake, I hope he can prove that he's earned a spot on the Carolina Hurricanes roster.

Or at least proves to the league that, after everything he's been through, he can still play, and still be a factor, maybe prove that he's still that mullet-wearing, hockey-loving kid he used to be, with the same passion anyone brings to the game—just now with a little added fire.

Jeff O'Neill—wouldn't that be a story?

Bryan Thiel is a Senior Writer for Bleacher Report and the NHL Community Leader. If you'd like to get in contact with Bryan, you can do so through his profile, and you can also read his previous work in his archives.

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