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Sam O’Reilly made a great first impression at Edmonton Oilers camp.
He got into four exhibition games before returning to London late Monday. He and fellow first-rounder Sam Dickinson, the San Jose Sharks top defensive prospect, will be in the Knights lineup Friday against the Erie Otters at Budweiser Gardens.
“I did a really good job, I think, from what I heard there and from the (Oilers) coaches,” the 18-year-old centre said. “I didn’t feel out of place at all and they said the same thing.
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“It was a good experience.”
One of his favourite moments was playing on a line with 39-year-old Corey Perry. The long-time NHLer mentioned before the game that when he was playing for the Knights (2001-05), O’Reilly wasn’t born yet.
“He’s a helluva player and he’s been doing it a long time,” O’Reilly said. “I can see why, especially when you’re on a line with him. You see all the little plays he makes and how good he is down low. He’s for sure what people say he was.”
He spent time in Edmonton with former Knights star goaltender Brett Brochu, who has been reassigned to the American league affiliate Bakersfield, and London teammate Will Nicholl. Last week, Easton Cowan played on a line with Mitch Marner and Max Domi for Toronto.
“It goes to show how good the Knights do it,” O’Reilly said.
Now that he’s back in London, his goal is to have a strong season, take a run at Canada’s world junior team and get the Knights back to the Memorial Cup final. He is well-suited for the task after spending weeks with an extremely hungry team that lost Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup final.
“You can see it even more in person,” O’Reilly said. “They all know what the goal is and everyone there is on the same page. That’s to win. I’m trying to bring that sense back to London.”
Oilers captain Connor McDavid, of course, sets that tone.
“It goes to show how good he is and it’s not for no reason,” O’Reilly said. “He’s the hardest worker out there, helping everyone around him and being the best player in the world. That guy’s the best to do it, and when you’re around him, it goes to show (why).”
The return of O’Reilly and Dickinson means there are four eligible Knights returnees still at NHL training camps: Easton Cowan (Maple Leafs), Oliver Bonk (Flyers), Denver Barkey (Flyers) and Kasper Halttunen (Sharks). Over-age forward Landon Sim is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered at New Jersey Devils camp.
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JOE’S SHOW: Former Knights goaltender Joseph Raaymakers bought the Future Pro goaltending training business from founder Steve McKichan in an acquisition announced Tuesday.
The former OHLer plans to expand the business to new regions in Southwestern Ontario, including his Chatham hometown. McKichan, a former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie coach, will remain actively involved in his 35-year pursuit through summer camp appearances and private and e-mentorship programs.
“I am honored to continue the legacy that Steve McKichan built,” Raaymakers said. “Future Pro has been a trusted name in the hockey community for decades and I look forward to continuing that tradition of excellence, while also expanding our reach and programs.”
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