Ryan O'Reilly
Two-way forward who won Selke, Conn Smythe, and Stanley Cup in 2019.
Ryan O'Reilly is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the Nashville Predators. He is notable for winning the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2019, the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2019, and the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, as well as the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1991-02-07
- Birth Place
- Clinton, Ontario, Canada
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 1
- Weight Lb
- 207
- Position
- Centre
- Shoots
- Left
- League
- NHL
- Team
- Nashville Predators
- Former Teams
- Colorado Avalanche / Metallurg Magnitogorsk / Buffalo Sabres / St. Louis Blues / Toronto Maple Leafs
- Ntl Team
- CAN
- Draft
- 33rd overall
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
O'Reilly began his major junior career with the Erie Otters after being selected first overall in the 2007 OHL Draft. He was drafted 33rd overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2009 and became the youngest player in Avalanche history to appear in a regular season game. In his rookie season, he scored his first NHL goal against Carey Price and led the Avalanche in penalty-kill ice time. He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2013–14 after recording just one penalty minor while leading the NHL in takeaways.
After contract disputes, O'Reilly signed an offer sheet with the Calgary Flames in 2013, which the Avalanche matched. He was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in 2015 and signed a seven-year contract extension. In 2018, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2019 over the Boston Bruins and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He was named captain of the Blues in 2020.
Reader's Guide
O'Reilly's significance lies in his recognition as one of the NHL's best two-way forwards, winning the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2019. His playoff performance that same year earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the 2019 playoffs, during which the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup over the Boston Bruins. Earlier in his career, he won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship with the Colorado Avalanche in 2013–14, a season in which he led the NHL in takeaways and recorded only one penalty minor. His career includes leading the NHL in takeaways multiple times and setting an Avalanche record with 101 takeaways in 2011–12. O'Reilly's legacy is tied to his two-way play, his role in the Blues' 2019 championship, and his individual awards for both defensive excellence and sportsmanship.
Did You Know?
- O'Reilly was drafted 33rd overall in the 2009 NHL entry draft by the Colorado Avalanche.
- He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2019 when the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup.
- He was named captain of the St. Louis Blues in 2020.
More in NHL Trophy Winners, Part 2 1-24
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