Huron Expositor, 2009-07-08, Page 7a
The Huron Expositor • July 8, 2009 Page
Ryan O'Reilly's dreams of turning pro come
true after being drafted by NHL's Avalanche
Eighteen -year-old Varna native picked 33rd overall by Colorado
Cheryl -Heath
CIMEMIEMO
One . of Varna's own is being
drafted to the Colorado Avalanche
team.
Eighteen -year-old Ryan O'Reilly
was surrounded by 26 family mem-
bers in Montreal, when he was
picked 33rd overall in the second-
round draft.
Ryan's proud mom,
Bonnie, reports he
was travelling to
Denver to report to
camp on Monday.
O'Reilly, who was
playing for the Ju-
nior A OHL team, the
Erie Otters, will be
participating in the
camp, July 7-12.
"It was great news,"
says Bonnie, noting
Ryan has been fol-
lowing in his family
members' footsteps
as a first round pick," noted Ava-
lanche Director of Amateur Scout-
ing Rick Pracey on the Avalanche's
webpage.
So when the versatile forward
dropped to the Avalanche in the
second round, the team. pounced.
O'Reilly, who served as an as-
sistant captain for the Otters
last season, notched 66
points (16g/50a) in 68
games during the 2008-
09 campaign. But stats
only tell part of the sto-
ry with O'Reilly.
In a story on the
Avalanche's webpage,
O'Reilly is described
as a player who is very
responsible in his own
end and owns an in-
credible work ethic.
He also has impres-
sive strength, as his 18
reps at 150 pounds on
the bench press tied for
'In our minds,
we had valued
Ryan as a first
round pick,' --
Rick Pracey
Avalanche Director of
Amateur Scouting
as he took up playing
hockey at the tender age of three.
"He's in the door," she adds, not-
ing the extended family celebrated
the news over dinner in la belle
province. •
Ryan's father, Brian, and sib-
lings Tara, captain of the Carleton
University women's hockey team,
Shannon and big brother, Cal,
Nashville Predators in 2005 and
enjoyed an 11 -game NHL stint in
2008-09, are also cheering him on.
This latest success for Ryan
comes at thheels of his recent
graduation from high school in
Erie, Penn.
"In our
minds, we had
valued Ryan
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the most among the 94
players tested at the NHL Scout-
ing Combine.
The story says opposing coaches
were obviously impressed by his
game too, as he finished in the top
three in a trio of categories when
voting was conducted for the 2009
OHL Western Conference Coach-
es Poll. O'Reilly was voted as the
conference's "Best Penalty Killer,"
finished second in the "Best on,Fa-
ceofis" category and tied for third
place with No. 1 overall selection
John Tavares in the "Best Play -
maker" voting.
with files from the Colorado
Avalanche Official Web Site
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Varna native Ryan O'Reilly was picked 33rd overall in the NHL. draft by the
Colorado Avalanche recently.
Lawn Bowling News
Back in May, Bill Roberton and Dora Mote were
in Exeter lawn bowling and came second. June 6,
Rick Elliott and Jean Bewley were in Lucknow
and were sixth.
June 10 in Seaforth, Dave Ducklow and Larry
McLellan were . fourth and also Jack Muir and
Dave McMaster were the consolation winners.
Tuesday, June 16 was the pot luck and it was
well attended. Bowling and cards were played af-
ter supper. The next pot luck will be July 21 at
the club.
On June 27 in London, Dave Ducklow and Mar-
ilyn Lancaster were fifth and Rick Wood and Kay
Johns were sixth.
Canada Day in Mitchell, Lee Ryan, Fred Tilley
and Carol Carter were first, Bill Roberton, iteve
Hook and Dora Mote were second and Dave
Ducklow, Rick- Wood and Marilyn Lancaster were
fourth.
Please bowlers let me know how you have done
in tournaments. Here's some but I know I have
missed some of you. Please contact me or leave a
message. Thank you. Have fun on the greens.
by Rick Wood