Mike Reilly (ice hockey)

Lore & Background

Reilly grew up in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and played for the Academy of Holy Angels and Shattuck-St Mary's before being drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2011. He opted not to sign with Columbus and instead played college hockey at the University of Minnesota, where he became an offensive weapon, scoring 33 and 42 points in his sophomore and junior seasons. He earned Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-American honors in those years and helped Minnesota reach the 2014 NCAA tournament finals, where they were upset by Union.

Reilly turned professional in 2015, signing a two-year entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild. He made his NHL debut on January 9, 2016, and scored his first NHL goal on February 13, 2016. Over the next several seasons, he moved between the NHL and AHL, eventually being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 2018, then to the Ottawa Senators in 2020, and to the Boston Bruins in 2021. After a buyout from the Bruins, he signed with the Florida Panthers in 2023, was claimed off waivers by the New York Islanders later that year, and finally joined the Carolina Hurricanes as a free agent on July 1, 2025.

Reader's Guide

Mike Reilly's career is notable for its longevity and adaptability across multiple NHL organizations. After being a highly coveted college free agent, he established himself as a capable two-way defenseman, particularly effective on the power play. His journey through seven teams before landing with the Carolina Hurricanes reflects both his persistent value as a depth defenseman and the challenges of finding a stable role in the NHL. Reilly's most significant achievement came in 2026 when he won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes, capping a career that saw him play over 300 NHL games and contribute offensively from the blue line. His ability to produce points at the AHL level—including a five-point night and a hat-trick with Providence in 2023—demonstrated his offensive instincts even when not in the NHL. Reilly's career also illustrates the modern NHL's roster fluidity, as he was traded multiple times, placed on waivers, and bought out, yet continued to find opportunities. His signing with Carolina in 2025 represented a fresh start with a contender, and his Stanley Cup victory there solidified his legacy as a player who contributed to a championship team.

Did You Know?

• Reilly scored his first professional hat-trick on February 24, 2023, in a 6–5 win for the Providence Bruins, adding two assists for a five-point night.
• He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens on February 26, 2018, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NHL entry draft.
• Reilly's father, Michael Sr., was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the eighth round.
• He scored his first career playoff goal in game five of the opening-round series against the Hurricanes while playing for the New York Islanders.