CAMBRIDGE, ON – The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is pleased to announce William Reilly as the 2015 BJ Monro Award Winner as the top prospect in the OHA as selected by the OHA Awards Committee.
The 17-year old Reilly was somewhat of a late-bloomer, having played last season with his Upper Canada College high school squad. But the talented rookie blueliner was on NHL Central Scouting’s radar for much of the 2014-15 season, having been listed on their preliminary rankings list in November. Listed at 6’2”, 190 lbs., Reilly immediately made an impact in the Rangers lineup this season, playing significant key minutes on the club’s backend. He quickly became the club’s offensive catalyst from the point, finishing fourth on the Rangers with 17 goals and fifth in overall scoring with 35 points in just 47 regular season games played. Those totals would also rank Reilly among the OJHL’s elite defenceman, tying for second in goal scoring and eleventh in overall scoring from the blueline. Other highlights of Reilly’s impressive rookie campaign included being invited to the Team Canada East Final Selection Camp and he was also named a member of Team OJHL Oates, recording three assists in five games played, en route to winning the 2014 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge. In January, Reilly was named to Team East to compete in the 2015 CJHL Top Prospects Game that was held in Oakville and following the season, Reilly’s efforts were rewarded as he was named an OJHL 1st Team All-Prospect.
The BJ Monro Award named in honour of the late OHA player, was donated by to the Association by the Monro family in memory of their late son BJ who was a member of the Cobourg Cougars hockey club. BJ was suddenly taken from his family and friends during the 1993-94 season when he was involved in a tragic car accident during his clubs playoffs. At the time, BJ was ranked as an underage player in the second round of the OHL draft. The award is presented annually to an OHA player who is the highest ranked individual according to the NHL Central Scouting List in that current season.
Other OHA Award winners will be announced over the coming days. All 2014-15 OHA Award Winners will received their awards at the Hockey Hall of Fame on Friday, June 5th.
(Article courtesy the Ontario Hockey Association Website)
