HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-09-09, Page 10Pogo 10 The Huron Expositor • September 9, 2009
Brothers Cal and Ryan O'Reilly get set
for NHL season in Nashville Denver
Gerard Creces
Ryari, O'Reilly, an 18 -year-old
Varna native, is headed to Colorado
this year after being drafted for the
Avalanche in the second round of
the 2009 NHL draft.
The experience was like noth-
ing else, he said. While most of the
county was watching 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 Colo-
rado on the next day:"
He said he is looking forward to
beginning rookie camp 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 ma-
ture a lot more."
Among Ryan's accomplishments
are being the top OHL pick in 2007,
scoring 66 points in 68 games with
the Erie Otters last season; captain-
ing Team Canada at the U18 World
Cup, and now his drafting into the
National Hockey League.
Called a 'thinking man's play-
er' and a `natural playmaker' by
Sportsnet.ca and hockeyfutures.
coin, O'Reilly's dedication to the
game and to the success of the team
as a whole is what makes him such
a promising 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
something 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 al-
ready has 11 games under his belt
in the NHL; playing for the Nash-
ville Predators.
He said this year, he hopes to ce-
ment a place on the Predators' ros-
ter, after playing much of last sea-
son for the Milwaukee Admirals 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 greatest 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 high-
est levels.
The guys there are bigger, stron-
ger and faster, and he said he uses
his summers to improve his size
and strength which in turn boosts
SET YOUR SKATES OUTI
Clinton Skating Club
Registration at Clinton Arena
Wednesday, September 16,
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Learn to Skate
Can -Skate (junior)
Intermediate/Senior
Option of skating 1 or days • a week
More info call:
519-233-7474
Dominique Milburn photo
The NHL has a new Huron County connection with brothers Cal (left). and Ryan
O'Reilly of Vama. Cal is part of the Nashville Predators club, wile 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 last month.
"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 without knowing
how to play defence, you can't suc-
ceed on the other side of the blue
starting or want to
Play Hockey or
ltIngattos
Improve your skating skillsi
Ore -Power
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(Approx. ages 3-6)
OR
Power skating lessions
Registration at the Clinton Arena
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6:30 pm : 8:30 pm
Mora Into call: SAr
$19-,4$g-9609
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 offence.
Cal was headed back to the U.S.
last week, and will be in Nashville
for training Sept. 10.
"I can't wait to get back at it," he
said.
Ryan said his big brother is still
an influence on his game, and the
two talk fre-
quently through-
out the season.
Both brothers
credit not only
their large fam-
ily for the hock-
ey influence, but
the staff at the
Seaforth arena
who would open
their doors to the
O'Reillys before
school growing
p and allowing
them to skate for
free.
Seaforth Community
Hospital Foundation
Fundraising Campaign
New X-RAY Unit