Ryan O'Reilly (ice hockey)

Ryan O'Reilly

O'Reilly in April 2016.
Born (1991-02-07) February 7, 1991
Clinton, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Buffalo Sabres
Colorado Avalanche
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 33rd overall, 2009
Colorado Avalanche
Playing career 2009–present
Website RyanOReilly.ca

Ryan O'Reilly (born February 7, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey center and an alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). O'Reilly was originally drafted in the second round, 33rd overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche, where he spent the first six seasons of his NHL career.

Playing career

Junior

O'Reilly grew up playing hockey near his hometown of Varna, Ontario, with the Seaforth Stars of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA). He then moved up to the AAA level, playing for the Huron-Perth Lakers of the Minor Hockey Alliance starting in Minor Atom in 2000–01. Touted as one of the most talented prospects to come out from the Lakers, O'Reilly then played one year of minor midget hockey with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in 2006–07 after playing six years of Lakers hockey.[1]

O'Reilly began playing at the major junior level for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after he was the recipient of the Jack Ferguson Award as the first overall selection in the 2007 OHL Draft.[2] In his rookie season in 2007–08, O'Reilly put up a solid 52 points in 61 games and was named the Otters Rookie of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike Player while also earning Erie's nomination for the Bobby Smith Trophy.[3] In the following year, he backed up his rookie year with 50 assists and 66 points in 68 games for the 2008–09 season, and his all-around game was noticed when he was named the Western Conference's best penalty killer.[4]

Professional

Colorado Avalanche

O'Reilly in his rookie season with the Colorado Avalanche.

After the 2008–09 OHL season, O'Reilly was drafted in the second round, 33rd overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.[5] He became the youngest player in Avalanche history to appear in a regular season game when he surprisingly made the opening night roster for the 2009–10 season.[6] He earned his first NHL point in his Avalanche debut on October 1, 2009, against the San Jose Sharks, becoming the first non-first-round draft pick to immediately make the NHL in his first post-draft year since Patrice Bergeron in 2003–04.[7] O'Reilly later scored his first career NHL goal, a game-winner, on October 15 against Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens.[8] On October 19, following his strong start to the season, the Avalanche announced that O'Reilly and his fellow 2009 draftee Matt Duchene would spend the entire season with the Avalanche.[9] Initially leading all rookie forwards in scoring through October, O'Reilly recorded an assist in a 3–1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on October 24 to cap a seven-game point streak, which stood as the longest by a rookie throughout the season.[10]

Suffering an offensive plateau midway through the season, O'Reilly anchored his position as a top defensive forward and penalty killer. He led the Avalanche in ice time on the penalty kill, culminating in posting two short-handed goals during a double minor penalty against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 2, 2010, to become the first Avalanche player in history to achieve two shorthanded goals in one game.[11] He finished his rookie season with the Avalanche with 26 points (eight goals and 18 assists) in 81 regular season games before making his Stanley Cup playoff debut in a 2–1 victory over San Jose in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on April 14. On April 18, he scored his first career playoff goal, scoring the game-winning tally in Colorado's Game 3 1–0 overtime victory over San Jose. He was credited with the goal after inadvertently deflecting Sharks defenceman Dan Boyle's pass attempt from an improbable angle into the net past goaltender Evgeni Nabokov to put the Avalanche ahead in the series, two games to one.[12]

O'Reilly with the Colorado Avalanche in December 2013.

In his second professional season in 2010–11, O'Reilly remained entrenched on the shut-down third line for the Avalanche. On November 19, 2010, he appeared in his 100th NHL game, a 5–1 victory over the New York Rangers.[13] In scoring eight goals in his last 18 games, O'Reilly was able to match his rookie season contribution of 26 points and led the team for a second consecutive season in takeaways, with 72.

In the following year, 2011–12, having established himself as the leading defensive centre on the Avalanche, O'Reilly developed his two-way game and increased his offensive production playing alongside linemate Gabriel Landeskog. This was recognized as he was named as the NHL's Second Star of the Week for November 28 to December 4 after contributing with seven points in four games, and was leading all Avalanche forwards in ice time.[14] On January 12, 2012, he appeared in his 200th career NHL game, scoring a goal in a 3–2 overtime defeat to the Nashville Predators.[15] Despite the Avalanche missing the playoffs for a second-straight season, O'Reilly lead the NHL and set an Avalanche record with 101 takeaways. He also more than doubled his points output for his previous two seasons combined to finish as top scorer on the Avalanche with 18 goals and 55 points.[16]

O'Reilly with the Colorado Avalanche in November 2014.

As a restricted free agent in the off-season, O'Reilly's protracted contract negotiations with the Avalanche were halted by the expired Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA), which incurred the 2012–13 NHL lock-out.[17] With the lock-out cancelling the start of the season, O'Reilly, in joining his brother Cal, signed a two-year contract with Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) club Metallurg Magnitogorsk on December 7, 2012.[18] Unlike the exodus of NHL players joining European leagues on short-term contracts, O'Reilly signed a two-year contract with the conditional opt-out clause in returning to the NHL if an agreement with the Avalanche was met. O'Reilly made his debut for Magnitogorsk in a 5–3 victory over Atlant Moscow Oblast on December 19.[19]

Despite an end to NHL lock-out announced on January 12, 2013, O'Reilly was still unable to come to terms with the Avalanche and initially continued to play in Russia to miss the opening of the shortened 2012–13 season. On January 24, citing an ankle injury suffered through his 12 games with Metallurg, he mutually terminated his contract in Russia and returned for rehabilitation to North America.[20] At an impasse with the Avalanche a month into the season, O'Reilly was training with the OHL's London Knights when he ended his holdout on February 28 after signing a two-year, $10 million offer sheet with the Calgary Flames.[21] With a game coinciding between the two clubs on that day, the Avalanche announced during the contest that they opted to forgo compensation and secured O'Reilly to a contract by matching the Flames' offer sheet.[22]

In the 2013–14 season, under new Head Coach Patrick Roy, O'Reilly was moved to the wing to play alongside centre Matt Duchene and subsequently responded with a team-leading—and career-high—28 goals and 64 points in 80 games as the Avalanche returned to the playoffs. For the second time in his career, O'Reilly led the NHL in takeaways with 83 and, in recording just one penalty minor, was awarded the Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly conduct and sportsmanship by the League.[23]

As an impending restricted free agent, and with past difficulties in contract negotiation, the Avalanche elected to take O'Reilly to a salary arbitration.[24] On July 23, 2014, O'Reilly and the Avalanche agreed to settle prior to the arbitration hearing after negotiating a two-year, $12 million contract.[25] During the 2014–15 season, O'Reilly scored 17 goals and 38 assists for 55 points, also leading the Avalanche in average ice time per game, as Colorado failed to make the 2015 playoffs.[26]

Buffalo Sabres

On June 26, 2015, the Avalanche traded O'Reilly, alongside Jamie McGinn, to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Nikita Zadorov, forward Mikhail Grigorenko, prospect J. T. Compher and the 31st pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.[27] On July 2, O'Reilly then signed a seven-year contract extension with Buffalo worth $52.5 million, which comes into effect for the 2016–17 season. O'Reilly's signing came on the same day as the Sabres organization signed his brother Cal O'Reilly to a two-year contract.[28] O'Reilly was immediately named an alternate captain upon his arrival in Buffalo.

O'Reilly's arrival in Buffalo helped the team improve their play after they finished last in the league the previous season. He led the team in points with 60 (21 goals and 39 assists)

International play


O’Reilly with Team Canada in 2012
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Canada
World Championships
2015 Czech Republic
2016 Russia
2017 Germany/France
World Cup of Hockey
2016 Toronto

O'Reilly made his international debut at the 2008 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, scoring six points in six games as captain of gold medal-winning Team Ontario. As an underage 17-year-old, O'Reilly gained selection to Team Canada the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Slovakia.[29] He scored five points in four games and was named game MVP in the final against Russia as he helped Canada capture the gold medal for the fourth time in five years.[30]

The following year, O'Reilly was selected as captain of Canada for the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships.[31] In six games, he contributed with five points before finishing in fourth place after losing 5–4 in the bronze medal game against Finland.[32]

Unable to reach the playoffs with the Avalanche after the 2014–15 regular season, O'Reilly, for the third time in his professional career, was invited to participate in the 2015 IIHF World Championship in the Czech Republic. He helped contribute to a dominant Canadian team, scoring ten points in ten games as Canada won gold in the tournament final over Russia, their first victory in the World Championship since 2007.[33]

O'Reilly repeated as World Champion with Canada in 2016.

Personal

O'Reilly is the younger brother of fellow professional hockey player Cal O'Reilly, who has played in the NHL with the Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins and currently with Ryan O'Reilly in the Sabres organization.[34]

On July 13, 2015, Ontario Provincial Police charged O'Reilly with impaired driving following an incident in Lucan, Ontario when the pick up truck he was driving struck a Tim Hortons.[35] O'Reilly has been charged with driving a motor vehicle while ability impaired (alcohol) and care or control over 80 mgs. He was also charged under the Highway Traffic Act with failing to remain at the scene.[36]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2005–06Huron-Perth LakersMHAO5131407160—————
2006–07Toronto Jr. CanadiensGTHL5031437442—————
2006–07Toronto Jr. CanadiensOPJHL1101042020
2007–08Erie OttersOHL6119335214—————
2008–09Erie OttersOHL681650662650552
2009–10Colorado AvalancheNHL81818261861012
2010–11Colorado AvalancheNHL7413132616—————
2011–12Colorado AvalancheNHL8118375512—————
2012–13Metallurg MagnitogorskKHL1255102—————
2012–13Colorado AvalancheNHL29614204—————
2013–14Colorado AvalancheNHL80283664272460
2014–15Colorado AvalancheNHL8217385512—————
2015–16Buffalo SabresNHL712139608—————
2016–17Buffalo SabresNHL7220355510—————
NHL totals 570 131 230 361 82 13 3 4 7 2

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2008 Canada WHC17 1st, gold medalist(s) 6 0 6 6 0
2008 Canada IH18 1st, gold medalist(s) 4 3 2 5 0
2009 Canada WJC18 4th 6 2 3 5 0
2012 Canada WC 5th 7 2 2 4 4
2013 Canada WC 5th 8 1 2 3 0
2015 Canada WC 1st, gold medalist(s) 10 2 8 10 0
2016 Canada WC 1st, gold medalist(s) 10 2 6 8 2
2016 Canada WCH 1st, gold medalist(s) 6 0 0 0 0
2017 Canada WC 2nd, silver medalist(s) 10 6 3 9 0
Junior totals 16 5 11 16 0
Senior totals 51 13 21 34 6

Awards and honours

Award Year
CHL
Top Prospects Game 2009
NHL
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy 2014 [23]
NHL All Star 2016

References

  1. ↑ "Above and beyond". TheScoutingNews.com. 2006-12-02. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
  2. ↑ "Otters to select Ryan O'Reilly". oursportscentral.com. 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
  3. ↑ "OHL announces scholastic award winners". Ontario Hockey League. 2008-04-28. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
  4. ↑ "O'Reilly fostering attention in this years NHL draft". NHL. 2009-06-10. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  5. ↑ "Lakers Alumnus Ryan O'Reilly Selected 33rd Overall in NHL Entry Draft". Huron-PerthLakers.ca. 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
  6. ↑ "Duchene, O'Reilly rely on friendship during rookie rigors". NHL. 2009-10-07. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  7. ↑ "Wolski makes sure Avalanche win on night Sakic has number retired". CBS Sports. 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  8. ↑ "O'Reilly surprises Avs, himself with strong play". NHL. 2009-10-16. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
  9. ↑ Dater, Adrian (2009-10-17). "Avs rookie Matt Duchene scores career first goal to help beat Detroit". Denver Post. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  10. ↑ "Ryan O'Reilly Rookie Rewind". Colorado Avalanche. 2010-04-30. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  11. ↑ "Yip, O'Reilly score two each in Avs 5-1 win". Yahoo! Sports. 2010-02-02. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  12. ↑ Dater, Adrian (2010-04-18). "Avalanche wins on Sharks' blind side, take 2-1 series lead". Denver Post. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  13. ↑ "Anderson returns in net as Avalanche crush Rangers". CBS Sports. 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
  14. ↑ "Moulson, O'Reilly, Quick named as 'Three Stars'". National Hockey League. 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
  15. ↑ "Predators rally, finish off Avs in OT". CBS Sports. 2012-01-12. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
  16. ↑ "O'Reilly leading Avs Offensively and Defensively". Colorado Avalanche. 2012-03-17. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  17. ↑ Adrian Dater (2012-09-25). "Avalanche to wait on new CBA to resumer talks with Ryan O'Reilly". Denver Post. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
  18. ↑ "Ryan O'Reilly signs 2-year deal with KHL". CBS Sports. 2012-12-07. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
  19. ↑ "Metallurg Mg 5 - Atlant 3". Kontinental Hockey League. 2012-12-19. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  20. ↑ "Ryan O’Reilly, Metallurg terminate his KHL contract; deal with Avalanche ‘not close’". Yahoo! Sports. 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  21. ↑ "Flames sign Ryan O'Reilly to offer sheet". CBS Sports. 2013-02-28. Retrieved 2013-02-28.
  22. ↑ "Colorado Avalanche beats Calgary Flames on and off the ice by securing O'Reilly". Denver Post. 2013-02-28. Retrieved 2013-02-28.
  23. 1 2 "Avalanche's O'Reilly wins Lady Byng". National Hockey League. 2014-06-24. Retrieved 2014-06-24.
  24. ↑ "Avalanche file club-elected Salary Arbitration for Ryan O'Reilly". CBS Sports. 2014-06-15. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  25. ↑ Peters, Chris (July 23, 2014). "Ryan O'Reilly, Avalanche settle on two-year, $12 million contract". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  26. ↑ Nelson, Kristen (June 30, 2015). "O'Reilly excited to take on leadership role with Sabres". NHL. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Avalanche trade O'Reilly to Sabres". The Sports Network. 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
  28. ↑ The Canadian Press (July 4, 2015). "O'Reilly signs seven-year extension". TSN. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  29. ↑ "17-year-old Ryan O'Reilly hits the ice in Slovakia during tournament with Hockey Canada's U18 team". The Huron Expositor. 2008-06-07. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  30. ↑ "Varna's Ryan O'Reilly brings home the Gold". Clinton News-Record. 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  31. ↑ "Ryan O'Reilly named captain of Canada's national men's under 18 team". Hockey Canada. 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  32. ↑ "USA edges Canada 2-1 in World Championships semi-final". Hockey Canada. 2009-04-17. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
  33. ↑ "Canada down Russia for gold medal at IIHF World Championships". CBS Sports. 2015-05-17. Retrieved 2015-05-17.
  34. ↑ "Brothers Cal and Ryan O'Reilly get set for NHL season in Nashville, Denver". Seaforth Huron Expositor. 2009-09-20. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  35. ↑ "Buffalo Sabres centre Ryan O'Reilly charged with impaired driving". am980.ca. 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2015-07-13.
  36. ↑ "Ryan O'Reiily charged with impaired driving, failing to remain at scene". NBC Sports. 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2015-07-13.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Martin St. Louis		 Winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
2014 		Succeeded by
Jiri Hudler
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