OJHL grad signs entry-level contract with Pittsburgh Penguins
Photo: Former North York Rangers defenceman Will Reilly signed his first NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins April 15. (Andy Corneau/OJHL Images)
- With files from the Pittsburgh Penguins
PITTSBURGH, PA. - Another Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) graduate has signed with a National Hockey League club.
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced Wednesday that they have signed William Reilly, a former Oakville Blades AP and North York Rangers defenceman to a two-year, entry-level contract.
Reilly was a 2017 seventh-round pick (217th overall) of the Penguins and recently completed his fourth season at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) (NCAA - DI) where he produced 68 points (22G/46A) in 139 games at the university hockey level.
Reilly's contract begins in the 2020-21 season and runs through the 2021-22 campaign.
"Will had an impressive year in 2019-20 after continuing to improve during his four years at RPI. His commitment to working hard and improving his conditioning has paid off," said Rutherford. "We are happy to add another young player, increasing our organizational depth on defense," said Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford in a press release.
Reilly, 22, played parts of two seasons in the OJHL. In 2013-14, while attending Upper Canada College (CISAA) he played one game with the Oakville Blades. The following season he played his first and only full season in the OJHL with the North York Rangers. With the Rangers in 2014-15 he produced 35 points (17G/18A) in 47 games.
After the 2014-15 season, Reilly went to play in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Nanaimo Clippers. He was named Rookie of the Year and won a division championship with the Clippers.
The Toronto, Ont. native then skated four seasons with the RPI Engineers (ECAC) and was the team's captain in 2019-20. According to the Penguins, Reilly ranked second in goals (8) and fifth in points (22) in 34 games played among ECAC defensemen in 2019-20. Additionally,
At the end of the 2019-20 season, Reilly was named a finalist for the ECAC's "Best Defensive Defenseman" and was named to the conference's Second All-Star Team.
Reilly took to Twitter April 15 after he signed his first NHL contract. He said, “Very excited and proud to sign my first NHL contract with the @Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins)! Thank you to @RPIAthletics, @RPI_Hockey, my coaches, teammates and the fans for the best 4 years of my life. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to play at such a great place. Gonna miss it! #GoPensGo
Congratulations to OJHL graduate, Will Reilly on signing with the Penguins.