Denver Pioneers-bound Ryan O’Reilly, 18, has the ability of his former Avalanche namesake

Ryan O’Reilly met Ryan O’Reilly at the American Airlines Center in 2010. The NHL center was playing for the Avalanche and the other O’Reilly, the 10-year-old, was realizing he could become a Dallas-area youth hockey star.

Former Avalanche standout Ryan O’Reilly, left, poses for a picture with then-10-year-old fan Ryan O’Reilly at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The young O’Reilly will play for the DU Pioneers next season.

Eight years later, the young O’Reilly is bound to be selected in the 2018 draft at American Airlines Center. Committed to play for the University of Denver beginning for the 2019-20 season, the 6-foot-2, 201-pound power forward is ranked 58th among North American skaters.