HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-02, Page 33Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, September 2, 2009 - Page 31
O'Reillys play -making abilities meet NHL approval
Ser Cremes
signal -star staff
Ryan O'Reilly, an 18 -year-old Varna na-
tive, is headed to Colorado this year after
being drafted for the Avalanche in the sec-
ond round of the 2009 NHL draft.
The experience was like nothing else, he
said. While most of the county was watch-
ing to see who their favourite teams would
pick up, O'Reilly was literally watching to
see his own fate.
"It was one of the most nerve-wracking
things," he said. "I didn't get picked the first
day but that worked even better. I got into
Colorado on the next day"
He said he is looking forward to begin-
ning rookie camp next this month, though
he says he has a long way to go before he
expects to actually take to the NHL ice.
"It will probably take a few more years,"
he said. "These are the best players in the
world. I need to mature a lot more"
Among Ryan's accomplishments are be-
ing the top OHL pick in 2007; scoring 66
points in 68 games with the Erie Otters last
season; captaining Team Canada at the U18
World Cup, and now being drafted into the
National Hockey League.
Called a `thinking man's player' and a
`natural playmaker' by Sportsnet.ca and
hockeyfutures.com, O'Reilly's dedication
to the game and' to the success of the team
as a whole is what makes him such a prom-
ising player. Fifty of his 66 points last year
were assists.
However, he said he wants to work on his
skating strength and shoot the puck more.
"I'm a little slow," he said. "It's some-
thing I've got to work on to make the jump
to the pros.
"Get faster, more efficient."
Ryan said he has another three years on
the Otters before. make or break time with
the Avalanche.
Meanwhile, older brother Cal already has
11 games under his belt in the NHL, play-
ing for the Nashville Predators.
He said this year, he hopes to cement a
place on the Predators' roster, after playing
much of last season for the Milwaukee Ad-
mirals in the American Hockey League.
"I hope to be there for a full year," he said.
"And not just an up and down guy."
Cal already has five points under his NHL
belt, including three goals and two assists.
Patience and control are two of the great-
est assets a player can have when waiting to
make the leap up to pro, he said, as well as
an ability to adjust to the different style of
hockey played at the highest levels.
The guys there are bigger, stronger and
faster, and he said he uses his summers to
improve his size and strength which in turn
boost "every aspect of the game."
Both O'Reillys are skilled stick -handlers,
and Cal said his own playmaking abilities
are rooted in the belief that withut know-
ing how to play defence, you can't succeed
on the other side of the blue line.
"As a player you just have to know and
work both ends of the rink," he said. "If
you can't play defence, you can't play of-
fence."
Cal was headed back to the U.S. last
week, and will be in Nashville for training
September 10.
"I can't wait to get back at it," he said.
Ryan said his big brother is still an influ-
ence on his game, and the two talk frequent-
ly throughout the season.
Both brothers credit not only their large
family for the hockey influence, but the
staff at the Seaforth arena who would open
their doors to the O'Reillys before school
growing up and allowing them to skate
for free and work on
their game from early
on. Both said play-
ing hockey with their
many cousins was a
big influence on their
love of the game.
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Photo by Dominique Milburn
The NHL has a new Huron County connection with brothers
Cal (left) and Ryan O'Reilly of Varna. Cal is part of the
Nashville Predators club, while brother Ryan was drafted
this June to the Colorado Avalanche. At left, the brothers
take some time for the press after helping out at a kids'
hockey school in Seaforth August 18.
Friday, Sept 11
Sunday, Sept 13
Open
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8 - 9:30pm (MRC)
3 - 4:30pm (MRC)
Saturday, Sept 19 7:30pm
Exhibition game vs Clinton (MRC)
Sunday, Sept 20 3-4:30pm (MRC)
Friday, Sept 25 8:30pm
Exhibition game at Port Elgin
Friday, Oct 2 8:30pm (MRC)
Exhibition game vs Port Elgin
Saturday, Oct 4 2:OOpm
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