Reilly was one of the top forwards on the Marlboros squad, always at the center of things offensively. I thought he displayed a solid blend of attacking off the rush and also impacting off the cycle and down low, contributing offensively in a wide variety of ways. He could beat defenders wide with bursts of speed, but also fend off pressure in tight quarters, spinning off checks down low and along the wall. Shift after shift Reilly was generating scoring chances, showing a desire to attack the scoring areas, drive the net, and penetrate. After a strong showing at the Titans Tournament, he is off to a hot start in GTHL league play, continuing to pot in goals and drive things for the Marlies.

Reilly’s skating was the engine behind his entire game, using a strong, fluid, powerful stride to carry pucks through the neutral zone and consistently generate offence off the rush. Shift after shift, he was the one transporting pucks coast to coast, dictating the game in transition. Upon entering the offensive zone, Braden was always looking to make something happen. He beat defenders wide, used delays to buy time, and picked apart the defence with clever passing through seams to the interior. All of this put him at the center of ETA’s offence, adding points on the scoresheet, but this combination of strong skater and transition impact was the key to me.

Reilly caught my eye for a few flashes, showing his ability to handle the puck in motion. I thought he was really fluid in how he could maintain momentum and shift laterally, all while handling the puck seamlessly and carrying pucks up ice. This combination of slick hands while in motion allowed him to make quick plays under pressure and keep play alive in tight spaces. Given these abilities, play seemed to flow through Braden at times, as he was typically the primary option on his line to transition pucks.