Reilly thriving in new role for first-place Pats

By Matt Metcalf
Posted 1/24/17

Pat Reilly could’ve been at the top of the points list in Division III this season. He could’ve averaged more than two goals per game while headlining Pilgrim’s top offensive unit.

But, he’s not. Rather, he’s stymieing opponent’s top lines on a nightly basis for the first-place Pats.

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Reilly thriving in new role for first-place Pats

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Pat Reilly could’ve been at the top of the points list in Division III this season. He could’ve averaged more than two goals per game while headlining Pilgrim’s top offensive unit.

But, he’s not. Rather, he’s stymieing opponent’s top lines on a nightly basis for the first-place Pats.

After leading the Pilgrim boys’ hockey team in goals (17) and points (27) last season as a junior while playing forward in Division II, Reilly willingly moved back to defense this season to stabilize an inexperienced defensive unit.

The move was designed for the betterment of the team, and the results are showing.

Pilgrim, which moved down to D-III this winter, is sitting at the top of the standings more than midway through the season. Reilly’s compliance to try something new is a big reason why the Pats are encountering so much success.

The senior captain, who was known as a goal scorer for his first three seasons in a black and white uniform, is still adding some offense when the opportunities arise, but he’s developed into a stalwart on the blue line.

“Completely selfless,” Pilgrim head coach Mike Boyajian, Jr., said of Reilly making the move to defense. “When we approached him about it, we wanted an offensive threat with some speed back on the blue line, and he didn’t even bat an eyelash. It was very impressive for a kid to show that much maturity.”

Reilly’s offensive prowess has still shown through while on the back end.

He added three assists in Pilgrim’s win over West Warwick/Exeter-West Greenwich on Friday night, setting up the first two goals to help put the Wizards in a hole early.

Furthermore, he’s tied for the team lead with Ty Morgan in goals (11), and he’s second on Pilgrim in points (19).

What is most impressive about Reilly’s season is that he’s still managing to put up points while taking on additional responsibility.

He’s logging a heavy workload, but his talent level has helped him get things done at both ends of the ice.

“They’re playing me with an offensive scheme, but I love playing D and helping out,” Reilly said. “I like playing all around the ice. The best thing is we’re winning games, so that’s the most important thing to me.”

Reilly’s skating ability has helped him thrive both offensively and defensively. Some defensemen are labeled stay-at-home blueliners, but Reilly has been anything but. He has the green light to join the rush because of his capacity to make up ground on the backcheck, taking care of his newly-acquired responsibilities in the defensive zone.

He’s certainly had to revise his game to a defense-first mindset, which has been different for Reilly, but he credits his teammates for the seamless change.

“This is my first time playing defense,” Reilly said. “But my teammates have made it a smooth transition. Everyone’s pulling for one another, so it’s been very smooth for me.”

“The statistics aren’t showing it, but he’s been the best player out there for the majority of the games,” Boyajian, Jr., said. “Whether the scoresheet shows it or not, that kid has been rock-solid back there for us.”

Playing an unfamiliar position isn’t the only change for Reilly this season.

This amount of success hasn’t been experienced by any upperclassmen in the Pilgrim hockey program.

For the past three seasons, the Pats struggled to gain any traction in Division II, winning just six games over those three campaigns while mixing in a winless season in 2014-15.

But, this season’s win total has made the recent past a distant memory.

Now, Pilgrim has built up some confidence, and the only thing it has on its mind is winning.

And it should have a good chance this season to win the school’s fifth boys’ hockey championship. With Reilly leading the way on defense and Morgan, who’s leading the league with 32 points, up front, Pilgrim is going to be extremely tough to beat in a 3-game series come playoff time.

“It doesn’t matter to me how many points I get,” Reilly said. “I just want to keep winning with this team.”

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