Cal O'Reilly, a Canadian professional ice hockey player, spent a considerable portion of his career in the NHL and AHL, demonstrating his skills as a center. Born on September 30, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, O'Reilly was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fifth round, 150th overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. His journey through professional hockey is marked by his time with various teams, both in the NHL and the AHL.
O'Reilly began his professional career with the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators, during the 2006-2007 season. His playmaking abilities and vision on the ice quickly became apparent, and he spent several seasons honing his skills in the AHL. O'Reilly's NHL debut came during the 2008-2009 season with the Predators, where he played in 11 games and recorded five assists.
Over the next few years, O'Reilly split his time between the NHL and the AHL, playing for the Predators and their affiliates. During the 2010-2011 season, he had his most productive NHL stint with Nashville, appearing in 38 games and tallying six goals and 12 assists. However, injuries and team dynamics led to O'Reilly being placed on waivers, and he was subsequently claimed by the Phoenix Coyotes in February 2012.
O'Reilly's time with the Coyotes was brief, and he played only 27 games with the team before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in February 2012. His tenure with the Penguins was short-lived, and he spent the majority of his time with their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
In the following years, O'Reilly continued to play in the AHL, signing contracts with various teams, including the Utica Comets and the Rochester Americans. His leadership qualities were recognized during his time with the Americans, where he served as team captain and was a key presence in the locker room.
O'Reilly returned to the NHL during the 2015-2016 season when he signed with the Buffalo Sabres. He played 20 games with the Sabres, recording seven points. His time in Buffalo also allowed him to play alongside his younger brother, Ryan O'Reilly, who was an established NHL player.
After his stint with the Sabres, O'Reilly continued his career in the AHL, playing for the Toronto Marlies and the Iowa Wild. His experience and leadership were valuable assets to these teams, and he continued to be a reliable playmaker on the ice.
Throughout his career, O'Reilly was known for his exceptional passing ability and hockey IQ.
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