St. Patrick’s Day Special: Ryan O’Reilly

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In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, let’s look at the most Irish of Colorado Avalanche players (at least judging by his last name), Ryan O’Reilly.

We all know about O’Reilly’s contractual disputes with the team. Therefore, we know what he makes.We know that, despite a pay increase, he’s struggling this season.

Let’s let go of that and just look at the man and the player.

Ryan O’Reilly, the Man

Nicknames: Scooter (rookie season), Factor (because of his last name), Rhino (because of how his first name sounds with his last name)

Not so secret passion: Yoga — he’s even got other players interested

According to an interview O’Reilly did with the Denver Post (at which time he confirmed he is, indeed, of Irish heritage), his pregame meal consists of two large salads. Apparently he gave up meat (maybe it’s a yoga thing?). He added of his eating habits:

“My main source of energy comes from my vegetables.”

His favorite restaurant is Vesta Dipping Grill. (I’ve eaten there — it is actually very good, but tough if you don’t eat meat since the premise is to dip shish kabob into sauces.)

Favorite Non-Hockey Sport: Beach volleyball (for obvious reasons)

However, O’Reilly is renowned for being a rink rat — he and his brother AHL center Cal O’Reilly — actually built a rink for on-ice workouts in their home town.

Ryan O’Reilly, the Rink Rat

Ryan O’Reilly before the Burgundy and White Game

Rhino is typically one of the first players on the ice, and one of the last off. It’s clear he loves the sport of hockey.

Ryan and his brother Cal actually put out a Youtube video awhile back showcasing some of their off-season training. There’s a whole lot of running. There’s also this sequence when Rhino jumps up the steps at a boardwalk– no mild running for him, he actually uses explosive strength to propel himself up the wooden stairs.

At one point he’s standing on a stability ball while going, er, all out with heavy rope training. There’s also a sequence during which he’s working his lateral movements on a stack of unstable wrestling mats… suffice it to say, Rhino really does have the thighs of a rhino.

Lots of rink work, too. Here’s a look at Ryan O’Reilly during the March 16, 2015 Avalanche practice:

In other words, all that hard work pays off.