Sam O’Reilly
2023-24 Team: London Knights (OHL)
Date of Birth: Mar. 30, 2006
Place of Birth: Toronto, ON, CAN
Ht: 6-foot-1 Wt: 176 pounds
Shoots: R
Position: C/RW
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2024 first-year eligible
Rankings
There are plenty of prospects that continue to fly under the radar heading into the 2024 NHL Draft. One name that’s getting some recognition heading into the final stretch is London Knights forward Sam O’Reilly, as he continued to quickly improve his draft stock throughout the season.
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Many didn’t expect him to have the season that he did, as he finished third in Ontario Hockey League rookie scoring with 56 points in 68 games. Overall, he was third in goals with 20 and was second in assists with 36.
When you look at the production, you understand why O’Reilly was successful in that regard. O’Reilly is a versatile 200-foot player that can play a responsible game without the puck and display a strong work ethic when he’s in the offensive zone. He doesn’t shy away from any chance of their being any sort of physicality.
O’Reilly is constantly showing his willingness to get involved and does whatever it takes to regain possession with his strength and body positioning. He’s always battling and getting to the tough areas of the ice. Be it below the goal line, in the corners or along the boards, O’Reilly is in the middle of it all and usually comes out on top. He tends to do most of his damage in tight spaces, driving hard to the net and creating havoc for a scoring or second chance opportunity. He has a decent shot from outside and is always making himself available in the open ice, putting himself in the right spots at the right time to make a play or finish them
The main weakness to his game is his skating and speed. He doesn’t have the best stride and his lack of speed and agility can be a problem when trying to create separation from attacking players or in transition. The plus side to that, is that he can protect the puck really well, showing great hands and puck skills. He can be a strong support player as his smarts and positioning makes up for that. If he can improve his skating and his speed, he could be a real threat as he already has the mindset and drive on the ice.
Related: THW’s 2024 NHL Draft Guide
Defensively, O’Reilly’s motor and intensity are just as strong, doing a great job to pressure puck…
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