Mike Reilly (ice hockey)

Mike Reilly
Reilly with the Iowa Wild in 2015
Born	(1993-07-13) July 13, 1993 (age 31) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	183 lb (83 kg; 13 st 1 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	New York Islanders Minnesota Wild Montreal Canadiens Ottawa Senators Boston Bruins Florida Panthers
National team	United States
NHL draft	98th overall, 2011 Columbus Blue Jackets
Playing career	2015–present

Michael J. Reilly Jr. (born July 13, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 98th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and has previously played for the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers.

Playing career

Collegiate

Born in Chicago, Reilly grew up in Chanhassen, Minnesota. After attending and playing for the Academy of Holy Angels and Shattuck-St Mary's, Reilly was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Opting not to sign with the Blue Jackets, he went on to play for the University of Minnesota.

Reilly proved himself to be an offensive weapon with the Golden Gophers, particularly in his sophomore and junior seasons, where he scored 33 and 42 points, respectively. This earned him Big Ten Conference's Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-American in those years. In his sophomore year, Reilly was part of a Minnesota team that reached the finals in the 2014 NCAA tournament, where they were upset by the cinderella story Union Dutchmen.

Professional

Minnesota Wild

On May 16, 2015, it was announced that Reilly intended to turn pro, and informed the Blue Jackets that he intended to test the free agent market once he would be able to do so on June 15. Reilly would become one of the most coveted college free agents on the market due to his offensive statistics at Minnesota. ^{[1] [2]}

On July 1, Reilly opted to stay in the state of Minnesota by signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild worth $1.85 million. ^{[3] [4]}

Although Reilly initially started his first professional season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Iowa Wild, after scoring 23 points in 45 games, Reilly was called up on January 9, 2016, and made his NHL debut in a 2–1 victory over the Dallas Stars later that day. ^[5] He scored his first NHL goal and point on February 13, in a 4–2 loss to the Boston Bruins. ^[6] Reilly would play the rest of the season in Minnesota, and in 29 games, Reilly scored a goal and an assist.

Once again, Reilly started the 2016–17 season in the AHL, although he was quickly called up in October. Unfortunately, Reilly would not find the stability at the NHL level that he did in his rookie year, bouncing between Minnesota and Iowa, and playing 17 games while registering a lone goal. In the AHL, however, Reilly would continue to show off his two-way skill, scoring 30 points in 57 games.

For the first time in his career, Reilly would make the NHL roster to start the 2017–18 season. After a one game stint in Iowa, Reilly was in-and-out of the Wild lineup. However, there was a surplus of young defensemen on the NHL roster, and as a result, Reilly's agent, Pat Brisson, was given permission to explore trades, despite Reilly not actively seeking for one. ^[7] After scoring two goals and eight assists in 38 games with the Wild, on February 26, 2018, Reilly was traded to the Montreal Canadiens.

Montreal Canadiens

On February 26, 2018, Minnesota traded Reilly to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. ^[8]

After making his Canadiens debut on March 1, 2018, Reilly found a bit of a scoring touch with the Habs, scoring eight assists in the remaining 19 games, the same amount he had in his previous 38 games with the Wild. However, the Canadiens would finish well outside the playoff picture for the season, leaving Reilly without a postseason appearance three years into his career.

After a promising start to his Canadien career, Reilly continued his success to start the 2018–19 season, and provided a good partner to captain Shea Weber. ^[9] However, lineup crunches once again worked against Reilly's favor, as he found himself occasionally being scratched as the season went on, including his homecoming back to Minnesota. ^[10] Although the Canadiens fought for a playoff spot, they finished two points outside the final wild card spot, and Reilly ended the season with 11 points in 57 games.

Reilly signed a two-year extension with Montreal worth $3 million following the 2018–19 season. ^[11]

Fresh off an extension, Reilly looked to take a step forward in his game in the 2019–20 season. However, things went the complete opposite as planned. Reilly was a consistent scratch for the team, playing in only 14 games before he was traded to the Ottawa Senators in early January.

Ottawa Senators

On January 2, 2020, Reilly was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Andrew Sturtz and a fifth-round pick in 2021. ^[12]

With a fresh start, Reilly looked to finally solidify himself in an NHL lineup. Unlike with the Canadiens, Reilly was consistently in the Senators lineup during the season. His first point as a Senator came on January 11, 2020, with an assist on a goal by Colin White. After scoring 12 points in 30 games with the Senators, Reilly's season suddenly halted when the NHL suspended the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the season resumed in July 2020, the Senators were not invited into the playoff bubble, ending Reilly's season.

Reilly looked to continue his lineup consistency in the delayed 2020–21 season, and this he did do. By the trade deadline, in 40 games with the Senators, Reilly scored 19 assists, which was a career high. As a pending free agent on a struggling Senators team, Reilly's success had him as a prime trade target approaching the deadline.

Boston Bruins

Reilly was traded to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on April 11, 2021. ^[13]

Reilly proved to be a valuable deadline addition for the Bruins. In the final 15 games of the season, Reilly found instant chemistry with the Bruins, scoring eight assists. This included a stretch where he scored four assists in five games. This would help set the Bruins up with a first round matchup against the Washington Capitals, allowing Reilly to get his first taste of Stanley Cup Playoff hockey. Reilly scored his first and second playoff points, both assists, in the clinching Game 5 against the Capitals, allowing the Bruins to move on against the New York Islanders, whom they would be eliminated by in six games. Reilly finished the overall season with 27 assists, a career high, and four assists in 11 playoff games.

On July 27, 2021, Reilly signed a three-year, $9 million contract extension with the Bruins. ^[14]

Reilly finally found himself starting consistently in the NHL lineup during the 2021–22 season. In 70 games, Reilly scored four goals, a career high, and 13 assists. He would only play in five playoff games with the Bruins before they were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round.

Due to the Bruins battling salary cap issues, as well as inconsistent play from Reilly, while in just his second season with the club in 2022–23, he was placed on waivers by the Bruins on November 9, 2022. ^[15] In clearing the following day, Reilly's cap hit was buried and he was re-assigned and played the remainder of the season with the Bruins' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins. On February 24, 2023, Reilly scored his first professional hat-trick in a 6–5 win for Providence, adding two assists as well, resulting in a five-point night. ^[16]

Florida Panthers

Having completed the season, on June 30, 2023, Reilly was placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout from the remaining year of his contract with the Bruins. ^[17] Released to be a free agent, Reilly was immediately signed on the opening day of free agency to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Florida Panthers on July 1. ^[18]

However, Reilly's Panthers tenure would be short-lived. Despite making the Panthers opening night roster, Reilly would not see the ice until November 7, 2023, well into the season. ^[19] Reilly was scoreless in two games with the Panthers before he was placed on waivers and later claimed by the New York Islanders on November 25. ^[20]

New York Islanders

Reilly made his Islanders debut in a 5–4 defeat by New Jersey Devils on November 28. ^{[21] [22]} His first goal with the Islanders was in a 5–4 overtime loss to San Jose Sharks on December 5. ^[23] With the Islanders, Reilly seemingly found his scoring touch and had a career year. He had six goals and 18 assists in 59 games with the Islanders. He would also score his first career playoff goal in game five of the opening-round series against the Hurricanes, to whom the Islanders would fall in five games.

Personal life

Reilly's father, Michael Sr., was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the eighth round of the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft, but ultimately never played in the NHL. ^[24]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008–09	Academy of Holy Angels	USHS		25	2	24	26	12		2	0	1	1	0
2009–10	Academy of Holy Angels	USHS		24	4	29	33	19		2	3	2	5	0
2010–11	Shattuck-Saint Mary's	USHS		54	14	34	48	30		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Penticton Vees	BCHL		51	24	59	83	42		15	1	7	8	10
2012–13	University of Minnesota	WCHA		37	3	11	14	14		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	University of Minnesota	B1G		41	9	24	33	18		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	University of Minnesota	B1G		39	6	36	42	44		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Iowa Wild	AHL		45	5	18	23	10		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Minnesota Wild	NHL		29	1	6	7	8		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Minnesota Wild	NHL		17	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Iowa Wild	AHL		57	5	25	30	48		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Minnesota Wild	NHL		38	2	8	10	18		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Iowa Wild	AHL		1	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		19	0	8	8	8		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		57	3	8	11	16		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		14	0	4	4	6		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Ottawa Senators	NHL		30	1	11	12	18		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Ottawa Senators	NHL		40	0	19	19	18		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Boston Bruins	NHL		15	0	8	8	4		11	0	4	4	8
2021–22	Boston Bruins	NHL		70	4	13	17	32		5	0	0	0	2
2022–23	Boston Bruins	NHL		10	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Providence Bruins	AHL		36	7	19	26	34		1	0	0	0	0
2023–24	Florida Panthers	NHL		2	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	New York Islanders	NHL		59	6	18	24	28		5	1	1	2	0
NHL totals				400	18	104	122	162		21	1	5	6	10

Medal record
Representing   United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
	2015 Czech Republic
IIHF World U20 Championship
	2013 Russia

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2013	United States	WJC			7	1	2	3	4
2015	United States	WC			10	0	1	1	0
Junior totals					7	1	2	3	4
Senior totals					10	0	1	1	0

Awards and honors

Award	Year	Ref
College
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year	2014, 2015	[25] [26]
All-Big Ten First Team	2014, 2015	[27] [26]
AHCA West First-Team All-American	2014, 2015	[28]

References

1. Peters, Chris. "Mike Reilly informs Blue Jackets he won't sign, hits free agency". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
2. Clinton, Jared (May 16, 2015). "Sought after NCAA defenseman Mike Reilly to test free agent market". The Hockey News. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
3. "Wild Signs Defenseman Mike Reilly". Minnesota Wild. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
4. Graff, Chad (June 30, 2015). "Wild had what Mike Reilly wanted: potential, opportunity". Pioneer Press. Retrieved July 1, 2015– via twincities.com.
5. Tribune, Michael Russo Star. "Ex-Gopher Mike Reilly called up, will make NHL debut with Wild". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
6. Russo, Michael (February 16, 2016). "Wild rookie Reilly, fresh off his first goal, gets the nod from new coach". Star Tribune. Vancouver. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
7. Russo, Michael. "With the trade deadline approaching, Mike Reilly may be on the block". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved May 16, 2024.
8. Cudzinowski, Matt (February 26, 2018). "Canadiens acquire Mike Reilly from Minnesota for a 5th-round pick in 2019". Montreal Canadiens. Retrieved February 26, 2018– via NHL.com.
9. Manager, Colton Osmond, Dept (October 20, 2018). "Mike Reilly Proving to be the Answer to the Montreal Canadiens Biggest Question". Last Word On Hockey. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
10. Press, Brian Murphy | Pioneer (December 12, 2018). "Mike Reilly, former Gopher and Wild defenseman, sits out for Montreal". Twin Cities. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
11. Cowan, Stu (June 27, 2019). "Canadiens sign defenceman Mike Reilly to two-year contract". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
12. "Ottawa Senators acquire defenceman Mike Reilly from Montreal". NHL.com. January 2, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
13. "Bruins Acquire Mike Reilly From Senators". Boston Bruins. April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
14. "Bruins, D Reilly agree to three-year extension". TSN. July 27, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
15. "Bruins Place Mike Reilly on Waivers". Boston Bruins. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
16. "Reilly's Hat-Trick and Five Point Night Helps P-Bruins to Overtime Win". Providence Bruins. February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
17. "Bruins to buy out Mike Reilly". Boston Herald . June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
18. "Panthers agree to terms with Mike Reilly on a 1-year contract". Florida Panthers. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
19. "Florida Panthers Announce 2023-24 Opening Day Roster". NHL.com. October 10, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
20. "Islanders claim Reilly". New York Islanders. November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
21. Rosner, Stefen (November 27, 2023). "Mike Reilly Ready For Opportunity With Islanders Alongside Familiar Faces". The Hockey News. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
22. Hornick, Eric (November 28, 2023). "The Skinny: Devils 5, Islanders 4". NHL.com. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
23. Rosner, Stefen; Yerkes, Brendan (December 5, 2023). "Islanders Allow Four Straight Goals; Fall to Sharks 5-4 in OT". The Hockey News. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
24. "Michael J. Reilly profile". hockeydraftcentral.com. February 3, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
25. "Reilly claims inaugural defensive player of the year". Big Ten Conference. April 1, 2014. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
26. "Big Ten Announces Hockey Postseason Honors". Bigten.org. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
27. "Big Ten Announces Hockey Postseason Honors". Big Ten Conference. April 1, 2014. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
28. Gonzalez, Jason (April 10, 2015). "Minnesota's Mike Reilly earns back-to-back All-America hockey honors". startribune.com. Star Tribune. Retrieved July 1, 2015.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Award created	Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year 2014, 2015	Succeeded by Zach Werenski