University of Minnesota Athletics
Mike Reilly Inks Deal with Minnesota Wild
7/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (GopherSports.com) - Gopher Hockey All-American Mike Reilly made it official Wednesday, signing with the Minnesota Wild and foregoing his final season at the University of Minnesota.
The two-year, entry-level contact will pay the Chanhassen, Minn., native and 2015 Hobey Baker Award finalist upwards of $1.85 million plus bonuses, according to the Star Tribune. Reilly will wear No. 4 for the Wild.
"Signing with the Wild just felt right to me," Reilly said. "I'm excited to come in and learn from the veterans and keep improving as a player."
"The last three years were a dream come true for my family. It was an honor to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota and to share that experience with my brothers. I'm incredibly thankful for all of the support I've received over the years."
The defenseman tallied 89 points (18 goals, 71 assists) in 117 career games with the Gophers and helped the Maroon & Gold to three-straight conference championships and three-straight NCAA tournament berths including an appearance in the national championship game in 2014.
Proud to be apart of the @mnwild organization! Thanks for all the support from everyone over the years. #StateOfHockey #minny
- Mikey reilly (@mreilly93) July 1, 2015
"Mike is an outstanding person and an elite hockey player," Gopher Hockey head coach Don Lucia said. "While we will miss him next season, we are excited for him to have this opportunity, and there is no question he has a bright future in front of him with the Minnesota Wild."
For the second-straight year, Reilly was named a First Team All-American, a First Team All-Big Ten honoree and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2014-15 after leading all NCAA defensemen with 42 points and 36 assists (third among all NCAA skaters) in 39 games. He also led the nation's top power play (40-for-143, .280) and led all NCAA skaters with 19 power-play assists while ranking third with 21 power-play points.
The first Gophers defenseman to lead the team in scoring since Mike Crowley in 1996-97, Reilly is just the seventh Minnesota player to earn First Team All-America honors twice in his career while his 42 points in 2014-15 were the most in one season by a Gophers defenseman since Jordan Leopold tallied 48 points in route to a national championship and the Hobey Baker Award in 2001-02.
One of three Reillys on the Gopher Hockey roster with older brothers Ryan and Connor and one of five Reilly siblings to play college hockey at Big Ten institutions, Reilly is a second-generation Gopher. His father, also Mike, played for Minnesota from 1979-81. Reilly's older sister, Shannon, played college hockey at Ohio State while his younger sister, Caitlin, played at Penn State before transferring to Minnesota this year.
Big shoutout to @mreilly93 on officially signing with the hometown Minnesota Wild! Been a pleasure... https://t.co/LzhvBeJSE3
- Connor Reilly (@CReilly81) July 1, 2015
Reilly has also found success on the international level, most recently helping the U.S. Men's National Team to a bronze medal at the 2015 IIHF World Championship . The blueliner previously helped the U.S. win gold at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship and bronze at the 2011 World Junior A Hockey Challenge. Prior to joining the Gophers, Reilly helped the Penticton Vees of the BCHL win the RBC Cup and the Doyle Cup during the 2011-12 season.
Reilly was originally drafted in the fourth round (98th overall) by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
