Ryan O’Reilly (born 7.2.1991) is a Canadian ice hockey center. He has been playing in the NHL since 2009 and he has played with the Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues. He Is currently alternate captain of St. Louis Blues. O’Reilly has won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019.

Early Career

At Junior level, Ryan O’Reilly played with Huron-Perth Lakers and Toronto Jr. Canadiens. When O’Reilly moved major junior level, he was selected first overall in 2007 OHL Draft by the Erie Otters. O’Reilly played two solid seasons with the Otters (2007-09). O’Reilly was drafted in the second round, 33rd overall, in the 2009 NHL draft by the Colorado Avalanche.

Colorado Avalanche

On 1.10.2009, O’Reilly made his Avalanche debut against San Jose Sharks. Surprisingly, O’Reilly spend entire season with the Avalanche and he showed his potential as a defensive forward and penalty killer. In his second season (2010-11) with the Avalanche, O’Reilly continued to play with shut-down third line and his defensive reputation continued to grow. In season 2012-13, O’Reilly played in KHL with Metallurg Magnitogorsk as NHL went lock-out. O’Reilly has become restricted free agent in the off-season and he had problems to come to terms with the Avalanche – O’Reilly signed first two-year offer sheet with the Calgary Flames but Colorado matched that offer sheet.

Buffalo Sabres

On 26.6.2015, the Avalanche traded O’Reilly to the Buffalo Sabres. On 2.7.2015, O’Reilly signed seven-year contract with the Sabres. O’Reilly was named soon an alternate captain of the Sabres. In his first season (2015-16), O’Reilly led Buffalo with 60 points, but the Sabres will not reached to the NHL playoffs. On 1.7.2018, O’Reilly was traded to the St. Louis Blues.

St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues started season 2018-19 poorly and the Blu,es fell last place of the entire league by 2.1.2019. After that team changed coach and goaltender and made huge comeback. O’Reilly made his personal record of points (72) and he was invited to the NHL All-Star Game. St. Louis Blues and O’Reilly qualified to the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs and after all, they beat Boston Bruins 4-1 in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals and won franchise’s first Stanley Cup. O’Reilly was key player of the playoffs and he won Conn Smythe Trophy as the best player of the playoffs. He made franchise-record 23 playoff points and was excellent two-way player.

International Play

Ryan O’Reilly has won three medals in the IIHF World Championships. 2015 and 2016 he won gold medal and 2017 silver medal with Team Canada.

Other interesting stuff

Ryan O’Reilly won one Frank J. Selke Trophy (2019) for a NHL’s best defensive forward. He won one Conn Smythe Trophy (2019) for the most valuable player in the playoffs and one Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for a gentleman player of the year (2014).