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EDMONTON — To call Sam O’Reilly‘s offseason a whirlwind would be an understatement, to say the least.

After a successful season that led to an OHL championship and a journey to the Memorial Cup final, the Edmonton Oilers were not even on the 18-year-old center’s radar from London in the Ontario Hockey League.

Despite not having a first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Oilers managed to acquire O’Reilly last week. They traded up to re-enter the first round and ultimately selected the Toronto native with the No. 32 pick.

O’Reilly expressed his disbelief, stating, “This experience has been beyond my wildest dreams. The initial weeks leading up to the draft were quite nerve-wracking, but now that I’m here, witnessing all of this and proudly representing the Oilers, I couldn’t ask for anything more joyful.”

The most significant aspect is the reference to being an Oiler, given the presence of talented centers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However, the question remains: What type of Oiler will O’Reilly become, and when will this transformation occur?

Upon being drafted, O’Reilly (measuring at 6-foot-1, weighing 183 pounds) wasted no time in embarking on the journey to address those uncertainties. He made his way to Edmonton for the very first time, joining a group of 17 prospects who gathered at Rogers Place for an off-ice development camp.

“The intangibles that he possesses are impressive. We are particularly drawn to his size and determination; he is an incredibly competitive individual,” expressed Rick Pracey, the Oilers director of amateur scouting. “We strongly believe in his exceptional skills and his commitment to playing a solid defensive game. He consistently positions himself well, excels in face-offs, dominates stick battles, and consistently creates turnovers. Furthermore, he has great potential in terms of offensive capabilities.”

With his impressive ability to shoot the puck and his versatility to play different positions such as wing, center, and defense, he proves to be an intriguing individual. From being well-rounded to highly adaptable, he possesses the skills and versatility required to excel in the game.

Furthermore, the Oilers displayed no hesitation in expressing their true sentiments toward him.

O’Reilly expressed gratitude for the opportunity to join the team, mentioning that he had positive conversations with them throughout the year and had a faint notion that he might end up there due to their trading activities. He acknowledged feeling thankful and appreciative for being chosen by them.

Being a first-round NHL draft pick is an experience not everyone gets to have.

According to O’Reilly, while it may sound impressive, ultimately, it holds little significance once the draft is over. The only thing that truly matters is what actions you take afterwards and how you strive to improve in areas that need work, focusing on achieving your goals.

Currently, my main area of focus lies in that aspect.

The query surrounding when the fans will witness him playing in the NHL arises as one steps outside Rogers Place.

“I believe that my development is the top priority, along with the Oilers’ guidance on what they deem best for me,” expressed O’Reilly, who intends to return to London this season after a successful rookie campaign with 56 points (20 goals, 36 assists). “Hence, I will continue seeking advice and putting in my utmost effort to expedite my progress and make the transition as swiftly as possible.”

Despite the Oilers’ season coming to an end after making it to the Stanley Cup Final, Rogers Place wasn’t bustling with activity during O’Reilly’s visit. Nevertheless, a few players from the team took the opportunity to extend their congratulations to him.

O’Reilly expressed his gratitude for receiving a few texts from them, finding it nice. However, he eagerly anticipates meeting them in person and witnessing their presence firsthand.

Given historical patterns, it is likely that O’Reilly will have those interactions sooner rather than later. He has a track record of swiftly advancing through the ranks with London.

He expressed, “Initially, I began on the fourth line without giving it much thought. I simply focused on my work, following the coaches’ instructions. The support and guidance provided by Dale and Mark [Hunter], along with the entire staff, make the development in London exceptional. Being a part of the London Knights fills me with immense gratitude.”

I believe that if I simply do what they expect of me, everything else will fall into place.

It remains uncertain which path to the professional league O’Reilly will ultimately choose, but for the time being, being selected as a first-round draft pick sets him on the correct trajectory.

According to Oilers CEO of hockey operations and interim general manager Jeff Jackson, our staff believed that he deserved a higher ranking than the position he ended up in. Rick, on the other hand, was confident that we were acquiring a player who perfectly matched our team’s requirements.

We need to initiate our pipeline of potential prospects.

After witnessing the Oilers’ near victory in the Stanley Cup, falling short with a 2-1 score in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers, O’Reilly and London find themselves with unresolved matters. Their flawless performance in the round robin of the Memorial Cup concluded with a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat in the final against the OHL host team, Saginaw.

O’Reilly expressed that while the desired outcome was not achieved, the tournament was enjoyable for everyone involved. Although not winning is disappointing, it serves as additional motivation to strive for success in the following year.