Mike Reilly Named First Team All-American for the Second Consecutive Season

Gopher defenseman Mike Reilly was named a First Team All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association on Friday.  The Two-time defending Big Ten Defensive Player  of the Year is now one of seven players to wear the M who have been named an All-American twice in their Gopher careers.

Reilly played in all 39 games this season and scored 42 points to lead the Gophers.  His 42 points were also the most of any defenseman in the country.  They are also the most scored by a Gopher defenseman since Jordan Leopold had 48 in 2001-02.

Reilly joins six other Gopher legends as two-time All-Americans.  They include Leopold, Mike Crowley, Brian Bonin, Jack McCartan, Ken Yackel Sr., and the Gopher's only four-time All-American John Mayasich.

Reilly will not have a chance to be the first three time All-American since Yackel Sr as he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune earlier this week that he has decided to sign a professional contract this spring or summer and will not return to the Gophers for his senior season.

Since Reilly was a First Team All-American last season, he already is located on the Mariucci  mural, so no new additions will need to be made in the off-season.

Congrats to Mike, and here is to hoping he finds success in the professional ranks as well!