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 Erie Otters

O'Reilly goes to Avalanche

June 27, 2009 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


The Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League selected Erie Otters forward Ryan O'Reilly with the 33rd overall pick in the second day of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft this morning.

O'Reilly was rated 39th overall in NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings.

The second-year Otters forward finished the 2008-09 season tied for the Otters scoring lead with 66 points in 68 games.

"He's a special player,"said Otters General Manager and Managing Partner Sherry Bassin. "He's nowhere near the level he's going to be. He really accepts the challenge of getting better. He really believes in the team winning, not himself. I haven't had a kid that's so focused on preparation and just working on getting better. He's got such a work ethic you almost have to pull him away. We always talk about the will to prepare -- well, he's got a phenomenal will to prepare."

O'Reilly becomes the 30th member of the Otters to be selected in the NHL Entry since the team began playing in Erie in 1996-97.

A total of 16 players from the Otters 2008-09 roster are still eligible to be selected in the final six round of the Draft today. Jaroslav Janus, Tyler Hostetter and David Shields all appeared on various 2009 NHL Entry Draft lists leading up to the annual selection process.


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Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 27, 2009


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