Walking through the concourse at the Pepsi Center, Wednesday night, I heard a chant behind me: "Bring O'Reilly Back!" As I looked back, I saw a guy wearing a mask of former Avalanche center, Ryan O'Reilly. He walked past me and continued to chant: "Bring O'Reilly Back!"
According to Denver Post sports columnist, Adrian Dater, one fan went as far to email Ryan O'Reilly's dad, Brian O'Reilly, to get an update on the center's situation.
Brian repeatedly states the word "character" throughout the entire email, and discusses the essence of his son's character. He goes on to explain that his son's situation is not about money, but simply the fact that the Avalanche don't recognize the potential in his character.
If it's not about money, why hasn't Ryan accepted the two previous contracts offered to him by this team, and allowed them to see his true character?
The Avalanche definitely know how to recognize character. Character, as Brian describes it in his email: "complete level, dedication, and love of the game," can be found in many current and former Avalanche players. Allow me to list a few examples: Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk and Gabriel Landeskog. This list could go on and on.
As much as I, or any other true Avalanche fan, would love to see this amazing player come back to Colorado, he is not the answer to our problems. We have many problems that one player cant fix; problems that lie deep with in the communications between the players on the ice, and within our coaching staff.
Bottom line, we are playing like we have a full season to develop, the long off season really hurt this team. Many of our players were off in Europe playing for different teams, and we didn't have enough time to practice together before the season was underway.
The Avalanche are finally starting to communicate, and see success. If players can keep stepping up, and filling the hole created by a long injured reserve list, our season will turn out okay.
To see the full email from Brian O'Reilly: Click Here
This is really interesting. Do you have any idea how many fans are upset about Brian O'Reilly not coming back?
ReplyDeleteBrian O'Reilly is the father of Ryan O'Reilly. Ryan is the one fans are upset about. It'd be hard to get a number, but he was easily a fan favorite last year. I've been to a couple games this year and each time there has been, at least, one or two fans that I have seen with posters
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