The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled forward Sam O’Reilly from the Syracuse Crunch on Nov. 10 after the 20-year-old recorded four points in his first 12 games of the season, according to a Crunch announcement.
O’Reilly had two goals, including one on the power play, and 26 shots on goal for Syracuse. Lightning vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced the move.
First professional season follows decorated junior career
The 6-foot-2, 198-pound forward made his American Hockey League debut Oct. 2 at Laval. He earned his first professional point with an assist on the winning goal in Syracuse’s 2-0 victory.
Before joining the Crunch, O’Reilly totaled 77 goals and 198 points in 191 Ontario Hockey League games with the London Knights and Kitchener Rangers. He also finished his OHL career with a plus-103 rating, according to the release.
The Toronto native won consecutive Memorial Cup championships in 2025 and 2026. The Crunch said he became the fourth player in OHL history to earn regular-season MVP, playoff MVP and Memorial Cup MVP honors in the same campaign last season.
Lightning acquired O’Reilly in 2025 trade
The Edmonton Oilers selected O’Reilly in the first round of the 2024 NHL draft, 32nd overall. Tampa Bay acquired him in a trade July 8, 2025.
At the time of the Nov. 10 recall announcement, O’Reilly was seeking his NHL debut, according to the Crunch.
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