Mike Reilly's eventual signing with Minnesota was a surprise, even though the Wild was long rumored to be in the Reilly Sweepstakes. After becoming a free agent by informing that he would not sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets in May, it was down to the Chicago Blackhawks and the Wild before it was announced at the 2015 draft that he chose to move from Minneapolis to St. Paul.
Reilly was a staple on the Golden Gopher blue line as his University of Minnesota teams captured three conference titles. His good vision and hard shot made him the Gopher's power play quarterback.