Hard work pays off for Reilly
The wait was definitely worth it for Josh Reilly.
The 16-year-old defenceman for the Southern Tier Admirals had to sit tight all day, but finally saw his name pop up when he was selected in the 15th and final round (286th overall) of the 2019 Ontario Hockey League Priority Section Saturday.
“It was a busy day. I kind of kept tabs on it here and there,” said Reilly, a Grade 10 student at A.N. Myer. “I knew I wasn’t a very high round (possibility) just because of the exposure of our team but I watched about 90 per cent. I didn’t watch too much of the middle rounds but I definitely watched near the end to see if any of my teammates went or where I would go, if I did.”
Reilly, who finished fifth in team scoring with seven goals and 15 points in 32 regular season games, was confident he prepared himself as much as possible.
“I knew the work I put in this year would get me somewhere,” he said. “I knew the number didn’t matter. I knew if I didn’t get drafted I would go somewhere with the sport because no matter what number I went, with the amount of work I put in, I knew I would get something out of it.
“I didn’t really stress too much what round I went in. As it went on I just kind of kept my hopes up.”
Reilly has been in contact with the Otters and is excited to head to a rookie camp in May.
Erie assistant coach Wes Wolfe, who hails from Niagara Falls, has high praise for Reilly.
“He’s a really good skater who makes a strong first pass,” Wolfe said. “What attracted us to Josh was how hard he plays the opposition. With more room to grow into a big, strong defender, Josh was a reliable player for his team.
“We were also impressed by his character — he was the captain of his team this past year and came across as mature and articulate during the interview process.”
Wolfe admitted it didn’t hurt Reilly’s chances that he hailed from Niagara.
“We’ve had a lot of success in the later rounds of the draft with players from Southern Tier in recent years (Kurtis Henry (ninth round), Christian Girhiny (11th round, Marcus Gillard (13th round ), and we are hopeful that Joshua can follow in their footsteps and develop into the player we think he can be.”
Reilly left no stone unturned this season as he worked to improve his game.
“Focus on the little things and don’t let the draft influence my game too much on and off the ice,” he said when asked what he worked on. “Just work on the things I need to in the gym and at practice and execute those things in the games and that’s how good things will happen.”
Reilly isn’t going to let where he was selected impede his aspirations at camp.
“That’s the ultimate goal, to see where I stand with these older, more skilled players,” he said. “For sure, that leap is there but I’m challenging myself to accept that leap and try and get into that league as soon as I can.
“Hard work is going to get me there for sure.”
Reilly enjoyed wearing the captain’s C for the Admirals.
“I was honoured to be the captain for the last two years. I just feel like I get to have that drive to keep me in the game and not get unfocused. I feel like I’m representing my team and I have to model a good game and a good organization when I’m on the ice.
“It kept me in check with that leadership and responsibility on my shoulders.”
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