January 23, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets Though many may initially overlook it, Comets forward Cal O'Reilly has been an integral part of the roster since he was signed to an SPC (standard player contract) back in November. To date, O'Reilly has recorded 15 points (3-12-15) in 20 games played with the Comets. O'Reilly also has the highest +/- rating on the team (4) and hasn't seen any time in the box, as he is the only player currently on the Comets roster with no penalty minutes.
When asked if these factors have contributed to his success with the team, O'Reilly replied, "I do think my game is getting better. I'm not exactly where I think I can play, but I'm improving every game." He also finds it important to focus on both offensive and defensive aspects of the game. Even though he plays center for the Comets, O'Reilly explains that he "takes pride in both ends of the ice," which explains why he's tied for third in assists on the team with 12. O'Reilly is a smart, selfless player who takes his time with the puck in order to make the best decision possible, even under times of pressure.
It is no mere coincidence that O'Reilly shines on the ice. Hockey genes run in his family, as his younger brother, Ryan O'Reilly, currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL, where he has recorded 33 points in 46 games (18-15-33). "Having my brother to play hockey with growing up was great," O'Reilly said. "My sisters played hockey as well. Even my parents would come and play sometimes when we were young. It was definitely something our family enjoyed doing and incorporating into our lives."
Cal O'Reilly has been active in professional hockey since 2006, and spent the 2012-13 and part of this season with the Magnitogorsk Metallurg of the KHL. Ironically, Ryan O'Reilly also spent part of the 2012-13 season playing for Magnitogorsk during the NHL lockout. "It was unfortunate that we never got to play together in Russia," Cal O'Reilly explained. "I got hurt and came home for a bit right when he got there. By the time I got back he was already back with Colorado." Now that both brothers are playing in the states, they are able to keep in touch more often. "We're pretty close, but it's obviously easier to be over the summer when we train together," he said.
While he may not be a fighter, Cal O'Reilly has proved to be one of the smartest guys on the ice for the Comets in their inaugural season. A humble player, he credits the success to his fellow teammates. "I'm playing with great players who contribute to the fact that I have no PIMs and a good +/- rating. It's definitely a team effort."
Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board... Digg this story Add to Del.icio.us
More:
Comets Corner with Playmaker Cal O'Reilly
- Comet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - November 21st, 2013 [November 21st, 2013]
- Comets - The Nine Planets - November 21st, 2013 [November 21st, 2013]
- Comets - Astronomy For Kids - KidsAstronomy.com - November 21st, 2013 [November 21st, 2013]
- Views of the Solar System: Comets - November 21st, 2013 [November 21st, 2013]
- Comets (extra footage) - Video - November 21st, 2013 [November 21st, 2013]
- Solar flare update. 6 comets! Nov 28th ISON perihelion! - Video - November 21st, 2013 [November 21st, 2013]
- Comets game 2end goal - Video - November 21st, 2013 [November 21st, 2013]
- Missouri Comets vs. Milwaukee Wave - Video - November 21st, 2013 [November 21st, 2013]
- Football: Comets Advance Past Momence - Video - November 21st, 2013 [November 21st, 2013]
- Caliber Cheer Comets Nov 9 2013 - Video - November 21st, 2013 [November 21st, 2013]
- Two Comets Are About to Fly By Mercury | NASA Space Science HD Video - Video - November 21st, 2013 [November 21st, 2013]
- Comets win on tiebreaker - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Comets fend off Wildcat attack - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Free throws bring Comets down - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Comets continue solid play on their home ice - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Comets Beat Heat 4-2 - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Comets in the Community - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Comets pick up third straight win over Heat - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Comets Welcome Back Old Rival - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Comets Cool Abbotsford 4-2 - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Comets – Facts and Information about Comets | Space.com - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Comets v Wave 121313 Highlights - Video - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Highlights - Comets vs. Monsters 12/15/13 - Video - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Weekly Space Hangout - Preventing Asteroids, More Comets, Worldview Balloon - Video - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Pens 1 - Comets 0 - Video - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Milwaukee Waves Cheap Shot Vs. Missouri Comets - 12.13.13 - Video - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Hometown Nights - Tarso Miller and the Wild Comets - Video - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Hangout with Comets Nova and Deathlyhall - Video - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Comets vs St. Louis Ambush - Video - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Shake, Rattle and Roll Bill Haley and His Comets - Sheet Music - Easy Alto Sax Version - Video - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Comets Shut Out Heat 3-0 - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Administration - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Bill Haley And His Comets ' R-O-C-K' 78 rpm - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Bill Haley And His Comets ' The Saints Rock 'N Roll' 78 rpm - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Nicklas Jensen's Shootout Winning Deke 12-15-13 - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Missouri Comets Night with Miles - 12.13.13 - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- 12/13/13 Comets 5 vs. Senators 2 - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Comets rock Bulldogs for first win - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- Comets Deposit Life's Building Blocks Across the Cosmos!(Dr.Ruehl) - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- Comets beat AHL rival Abbotsford again with shutout - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Comets Win Streak Grows to Four Games - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Comets Corner: On the Mask - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- 'Comets of the Centuries': 500 Years of the Greatest Comets Ever Seen - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Hackensack High School (NJ) Football Home - MaxPreps.com - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Little Comets - Isles (Music Video) - Video - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Comets Have Two Players on MISL Team of Week - December 25th, 2013 [December 25th, 2013]
- ONE FOR THE RECORD DECEMBER 20 2013 21 FUKUSHIMA COMETS EARTHQUAKES NMR GZ PAUL AND BP - Video - December 25th, 2013 [December 25th, 2013]
- Comets in the Community: Christmas at St. Luke's - December 26th, 2013 [December 26th, 2013]
- Best comets of last 500 years - December 26th, 2013 [December 26th, 2013]
- STRANGE EVENTS In 2013 Earthquakes, Mass Animal Deaths, Extreme Weather, OORT Cloud Comets - Video - December 26th, 2013 [December 26th, 2013]
- Utica Comets " 'Twas the Night" - Video - December 26th, 2013 [December 26th, 2013]
- Missouri Comets vs. Rochester Lancers - Video - December 26th, 2013 [December 26th, 2013]
- Chasing Comets: In search of secrets about our origins - Video - December 26th, 2013 [December 26th, 2013]
- DREAM X2 COMETS/STARS FLYING OVERHEAD, MASSIVE SONIC BOOMS EARTH HIT POSSIBLY. - Video - December 26th, 2013 [December 26th, 2013]
- What are comets? - Video - December 26th, 2013 [December 26th, 2013]
- Game Preview: Syracuse Silver Knights at Missouri Comets and St. Louis Ambush - December 27th, 2013 [December 27th, 2013]
- Clark's performance boosts Clayton over Moss Point - December 27th, 2013 [December 27th, 2013]
- Gameday: Comets vs. Binghamton - December 27th, 2013 [December 27th, 2013]
- Comets Battle for First Place - December 27th, 2013 [December 27th, 2013]
- Gameday: Comets vs. Hamilton - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- Comets fall to Senators - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- Comets end winning streak - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- Comets vs Syracuse Silver Knights - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- Winning Comets Soccer - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- Comets Lose in Final Minutes - December 29th, 2013 [December 29th, 2013]
- CometsTV: 12-27-13 Utica Comets vs. Binghamton Senators Highlights - Video - December 29th, 2013 [December 29th, 2013]
- Comets knock off Aquin for second time this season - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- Comets fall after late rally - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- CometsTV: 12-28-13 Utica Comets vs. Hamilton Bulldogs Highlights - Video - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- Comets Corner: Kellan Lain - January 1st, 2014 [January 1st, 2014]
- Comets Welcome New Year - January 1st, 2014 [January 1st, 2014]
- Comets Media Game 2013 - Video - January 1st, 2014 [January 1st, 2014]
- 1957 AMI H200 playing Bill Haley and his Comets Rock Around The Clock. - Video - January 1st, 2014 [January 1st, 2014]
- 7 Amazing Christmas Kinder Surprise Eggs SMURFS cars, comets Unwrapping Review Chocolate Easter Toys - Video - January 1st, 2014 [January 1st, 2014]
- Shootout - Dogs @ Comets - 12/2813 - END - Video - January 1st, 2014 [January 1st, 2014]
- Shootout - Dogs @ Comets - 12/2813 - Video - January 1st, 2014 [January 1st, 2014]
- Catonsville girls basketball shows promise for another strong season - January 2nd, 2014 [January 2nd, 2014]
- Gameday: Comets vs. Lake Erie - January 2nd, 2014 [January 2nd, 2014]
- Comets Kick off New Year with Exciting Win - January 2nd, 2014 [January 2nd, 2014]
- Comets Remain Hot at Home with 3-2 Decision over Lake Erie - January 2nd, 2014 [January 2nd, 2014]