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Looking to make the leap: Mike Reilly

2015 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship - Northeast Regional

2015 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship - Northeast Regional

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With veterans Jordan Leopold and Keith Ballard likely retiring, rookie Mike Reilly is hoping to make the leap and join the Minnesota Wild this season.

Reilly, who was drafted in the fourth round (98th overall) by the Blue Jackets at the 2011 NHL Draft, chose not to sign with Columbus and opted for free agency. In June, he signed a sign a two-year deal with his hometown Wild.

“We felt that he’s a guy that can come in and compete right from the start of training camp for a roster spot,” Wild coach Mike Yeo said per NHL.com. “So far he’s proven that to be true. I’m excited to see him in camp. He’s a very dynamic offensive player.”

The 6-foot-2, 186-pound blue liner spent the past three seasons at the University of Minnesota where he led all NCAA defensemen in scoring (42 points) and assists (36), in 39 games last season.

“I’ve got to come in and try to earn a spot and play well and play my game,” Reilly told the Star Tribune in June. “There will be a lot of learning curves and mistakes, but I’m ready to learn from the older guys that have played in the league. There’s also a lot of good, young guys, too, that played as well, so it’ll be good to be able to learn from them and take it step by step to learn the pro game and be confident.”

In three seasons with the Gophers, the 22-year-old scored 18 goals and 89 points. Prior to going to college, Reilly spent the 2011-12 season with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League. With the Vees, Reilly scored 24 goals and 83 points in 51 games helping Penticton win a record 42 consecutive regular season games and a Royal Bank Cup.

Known for his puck-moving abilities, the Chanhassen, Minn native won a bronze medal with the U.S. at this year’s world championship in the Czech Republic,

“Obviously, the opportunity can be really good. I’ve got to earn my spot, and that’s kind of one thing they said to me in the past few weeks leading up to this day, Reilly told the team’s site. “If I come in and play well -- obviously, there’s going to be a learning curve and mistakes throughout the process -- but come in in great shape, keep working hard the next two months, hopefully it all works out.”

Related: Under Pressure: Devan Dubnyk

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