The Pittsburgh Penguins signed defence prospect William Reilly to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. This contract carries him through the 2021-22 season.

The @penguins have signed their 2017 seventh-round draft pick, defenseman William Reilly, to a two-year, entry-level contract.

Reilly recently completed a four-year collegiate career at RPI where he recorded 68 points (22G-46A) in 139 games. pic.twitter.com/dS7rDT47Uc

— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) April 15, 2020

William Reilly Signs With the Pittsburgh Penguins

Reilly has played his past four years of college hockey at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), playing Division I hockey in the NCAA’s ECAC conference. He had put up 22 goals and 46 assists for 68 career points in 139 career games. He was originally drafted in the seventh round, 217th overall of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins.

Last season he scored eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points. He also added 12 minutes in penalties. The senior defensive defenceman served as captain of his team.

The deal is a two-way, entry-level contract. Specific financial details have not been confirmed.

What This Means for the Future

Reilly’s game is highly defensively-oriented, and he’s certainly shown he’s capable of executing it well throughout his college career. His big size certainly helps (6′ 2″, 196 lbs), but he still needs to grow into his frame. That has to happen before he even thinks about stepping onto NHL ice.

He’s certainly able to hit, and he’s certainly able to stifle offensive opportunities. However, the 2017 seventh-rounder can create some offence himself. Reilly has a decent point-shot for a defensive defenceman and has shown glimpses of power-play prowess with RPI.

The general outlook for Reilly isn’t outstanding, though. The Penguins have a deep defensive prospect list, highlighted by Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Clayton Phillips. It’ll be challenging for Reilly to work his way up the ladder, and will likely be an AHL depth piece for the foreseeable future.

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