Observations:

May 2013 – Since stepping in from junior, Reilly was thrust into some prime minutes in the AHL to see if he could hang with the big boys. His production was rather poorer than expected with only three points in 14 games in the AHL, but he did accumulate 40 shots on goal, most of which were on the main power-play unit with Jake Gardiner recalled and veteran Paul Ranger on the shelf with injury. He has not shown a ‘Wow’ factor yet, but shows a puck-nerve and vision level that can be compared to long time leaf Tomas Kaberle. In the playoffs he has be placed in a reduced role as expected just gaining valuable experience. In game one, he took a rather large open ice hit after dishing a pass and admiring it with his head down, but he quickly recovered from the bone rattling check. Unless the Leafs open room for him on their core he will find himself back in the WHL which would likely be a positive in not activating his entry level contract yet and allow him to work on being more responsible and polished in his own end. Jason Banks

February 2013 - Rielly was named WHL Player of the Week (ending February 17th) after scoring four goals and adding an assist for five points in three weekly games. The Toronto Maple Leafs' 2012 5th overall selection, Rielly currently sits fourth in WHL defensive scoring with 44 points through 47 games. Brendan Ross

February 2013 – Morgan Rielly impressed Leafs’ brass in the short training camp after the lockout, but with a couple mature prospects that stood out, it was best for him to continue growing in Moose Jaw. Next year could again be murky for Rielly as he will get a long look in a regular camp, but he will still have junior eligibility. Jason Banks

December, 2012 - Rielly was named to the Canada WJC team, as expected. He is as good an offense defenseman as there is in the junior ranks right now. Rich Dillon

November 2012 – Simply put, Morgan Rielly is a human highlight reel. He is one of the most explosive and talented players in the entire WHL this year. He has 21 points in 23 games so far and is showing no signs of slowing down. The Leafs have a real keeper on their hands. – Zenon Herasymiuk

November 2012 - Rielly was a standout in game five of the Subway Super Series versus the National Russian junior team.  He showcased his fantastic mobility and elite hockey sense that has many projecting him as one of the top offensive prospect defensemen in the world.  Brendan Ross

August, 2012 - Quoted from Report Cards of Canada-Russia Challenge Article: The Leafs drafted a special player in Morgan Rielly. His mobility, vision, puck handling and playmaking are on the verge of eliteness. His positioning is solid and while he will continue to develop defensively, Rielly showed that he can be relied upon in all situations. Ryan Murphy was Canada’s offensive catalyst from the backend but Morgan Rielly was the better all-around defenseman and showed fantasy owners a few dazzling rushes and passes of his own. Brendan Ross

August, 2012 - The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed their first round selection, fifth overall, in the 2012 draft to a three year entry level contract. Rielly is coming off an impressive development camp with Toronto where he exceeded the lofty expectations of even the Maple Leafs management. Morgan Rielly is slated to compete in the Canada -Russia Junior Challenge in August as the two nations commemorate the historic 1972 Summit Series. Brendan Ross

June, 2012 - Brian Burke used the Leafs first round selection to draft Morgan Rielly 5th overall. Brendan Ross

March, 2012  –  Limited to just 18 games in 2011-12 with an ACL injury, Morgan Rielly did not disappoint. The offensive sparkplug tallied three goals and 15 assists as well as a plus-6 rating. Rielly is a strong skater who carries the puck with his head up looking to create for his teammates, though his size is just average and he does not play a particularly physical game. John Canario

Fantasy Outlook: A

Rielly has all the tools to be a powerplay quarterback at the NHL ranks. Limited experience this year could keep him in junior for another season or two.

Footage:

Morgan Rielly fights larger opponent Cole Grbavac:

Fantasy Prospects Report Notes (Any FPR's released in the last 18 months will not be listed here):

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Morgan Rielly statistics courtesy of Elite Prospects

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