Rielly Impressive At Next Level
(Story courtesy Ryan Dittrick, Edmonton media) When Morgan Rielly made that familiar trek down the east ramp at Rexall Place, he couldn’t help get a little nostalgic.
“It’s good to be back,” he laughed. “Considering all that’s happened since I last played here, it feels like a lifetime ago. I didn’t think I’d ever get to this point so fast.”
Rielly visited these parts often as a Warrior several years ago, even dressing in the same locker room now occupied—temporarily, at least—by the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs.
While the location hasn’t changed, the stakes certainly have. He’s one of them now after spending three seasons and 143 regular-season games in Moose Jaw.
“There’s no question (the NHL) is a challenging league,” Reilly said, humble as always, “but I’m having a blast right now. I have some incredible teammates that have been helping me out along the way. I know it’s a cliché, but I’m not trying to change anything. As a younger guy coming in, I want to play my game and focus on the things that got me here.”
In other words, as one of the best in the Western Hockey League over the past three seasons, he’s picking up right where he left off.
Paired with veteran Cody Franson, Rielly, 19, has five assists and is averaging more than 18 minutes in ice time after 11 games with the Leafs this season.
The transition has been smooth, aided in part by an eager group of teammates enjoying the fruits of a strong start. After Tuesday’s win over the Oilers, the Leafs sit atop the Atlantic Division standings with a 9-4-0 record (18 points).
“They’ve all been extremely helpful,” Rielly said. “It obviously helps with the team is winning, but this is a great group no matter what the situation. Veteran guys like Cody (Franson), Dion (Phaneuf) and Jake (Gardiner), especially, have been amazing. They’re like brothers to me.”
“It’s amazing how quickly he’s adapted to the style and pace of this league,” added Gardiner, who recently became Rielly’s new roommate. “He’s such a mature player. He’s handled himself like a pro since Day 1 and we’re happy he’s on our side. I’m excited to live with him, too. We’re already good friends and that’s only going to blossom over time.”
Amid it all, the mobile, puck-moving defenceman hasn’t forgotten his Saskatchewan-laced roots.
Over three seasons in Moose Jaw, Rielly recorded 21 goals and 100 points, adding nine assists in 11 playoff games against the Kootenay Ice (2011) and Edmonton Oil Kings (2012). Truly, the experience and educational value of major junior hockey made his rise to rookie stardom all possible.
He was chosen by the Leafs with the fifth pick in the 2012 NHL Draft.
“I had the greatest of opportunities in Moose Jaw,” Rielly said. “(Head Coach) Mike (Stothers), especially, was a mentor to me. I learned a lot about the game and what it takes to get to the next level. He and my teammates helped get me there.
“I owe everything to those people and to that city for giving me the chance to develop and turn into a pro hockey player.”
By playing his 10th game on Oct. 26 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Rielly’s three-year entry-level contract kicked in. As a 19-year-old drafted out of the CHL, he’s ineligible to play in the American Hockey League.
It was either Toronto or Moose Jaw, and it appears Head Coach Randy Carlyle and Leafs management made the right call.
In his 11th game Tuesday in Edmonton, Rielly earned another assist in a 4-0 win over the Oilers. The goal was initially credited to the young defenceman, but the would-be milestone was later awarded to Nazem Kadri.
“I was pretty sure it went off him, so I wasn’t too disappointed,” Rielly laughed. “I tried not to get too excited too fast. I know my time will come.”
And it won’t be long.
In the same building where scouts saw pro potential so many years ago, Rielly proved why he was deserving of the praise.
He’s a pro hockey player now, and a darn good one at that.
