NHL

Avalanche center at head of rookie class

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Updated Nov 11, 2009 2:22 PM ET
     
 
With four goals and 14 points through 18 games, Avalanche center Ryan O'Reilly, 18, is tied with Philadelphia winger James van Riemsdyk for the NHL's rookie scoring lead. Van Riemsdyk, 20, who played two seasons at the University of New Hampshire before signing last spring, suffered a minor fracture of his left pinkie finger against St. Louis on Saturday and is considered day to day, so he might miss a game or two. Among the four other rookies in double figures in points is the much-touted first overall pick in the draft last June, the Islanders' John Tavares. Colorado's Matt Duchene, the No. 3 pick, is tied for ninth in rookie scoring at seven points. Toss in the Avalanche's surprising early season success and O'Reilly's major role on what until a Sunday loss to Edmonton was a penalty-killing unit doing remarkable work, and it isn't at all out of line to mention O'Reilly as an early contender for the Calder Trophy, the league's rookie of the year award. "We're all on different teams, in different surroundings," O'Reilly said of the rookie pool. "I'm lucky to have the points I have. I'm playing with great players and the team is doing good, so I think I probably wouldn't have these numbers on any other team." In fact, since O'Reilly was the No. 33 overall choice last June, it's likely he wouldn't have stuck with anything other than a rebuilding team. "I still can't really believe I'm here," he said. "I'm trying to sustain the moment and take it game by game." O'Reilly, who is living in the home of Avalanche winger Darcy Tucker and his wife, Shannon, and their three children, is third in the NHL overall in plus-minus. At plus-13, he is behind only defensemen Alex Goligoski of Pittsburgh and former University of Denver standout Matt Carle of Philadelphia. And to think that earlier this year, he was finishing up a 16-goal season with the Erie (Pa.) Otters of the major-junior Ontario Hockey League, playing for former NHL star and coach Robbie Ftorek. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him and the whole staff at Erie," O'Reilly said. "They gave me so much, Robbie, the staff and the GM. Robbie, playing at this level and coaching at this level, he knew the game so well, including penalty killing. He taught me how to play the game." The Avalanche allowed four power-play goals in the 5-3 loss to Edmonton on Sunday, its first home defeat of the season. O'Reilly was on for all four, which, of course, didn't affect his plus-minus but did bruise his pride. "That's something I take the blame for," he said. "I have to be a lot better if we're going to have a chance to win these games. (Craig Anderson) is a great goalie, and I made mistakes in front of him I can't make."
Tagged: Avalanche, Flyers, James van Riemsdyk

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