Former Gopher Mike Reilly Hoping To Stay Local With Wild
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Wild are holding their developmental camp this week. It's a chance to work with the up-and-coming prospects in the organization.
One of those prospects is up-and-coming pretty quickly -- former Gopher Mike Reilly is trying to go straight from one hometown team to another.
In the two weeks since Mike Reilly decided to sign with the Wild, he says his life hasn't really changed all that much.
"Not really, I still kind of feel like the college kid back at the University of Minnesota," he said.
After all, he hasn't even moved. But choosing to play pro hockey where he played in college and high school was a big part of the appeal.
"I think I just felt comfortable here, and obviously there were some other options, and had a lot to weigh on the pros and the cons, and little things like that," Reilly said. "I was able to talk to a lot players."
Zach Parise was one of them, and when a guy like that reaches out to you, you pay attention.
"To know I could potentially be playing with him one day is pretty special," Reilly said.
Now the Wild get a player who was one of the best in college hockey last season -- a Hobey Baker finalist. Reilly's got a shot to make the NHL club in training camp. Maybe that hometown advantage will start paying off right away.
"Definitely my goal is to try to make the team," Reilly said. "I've watched so many games with the Wild in the past, kind of familiar with their style of play and their philosophies, so in a sense I almost feel like I know this team better than any other team, just because I watch them so much."
For now, Reilly is living at home with his parents. Might be wise to wait to see if you actually make the team before getting your own place? No, actually, he says, he'll be out either way by training camp, and he wants to get away.
As much as a hometown guy can get away, playing for his hometown team.