With the No. 5 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs have selected Morgan Rielly, a defenseman from the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League.
Rielly is yet another prospect from the 2012 draft class who missed time this season with an injury, as Rielly suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament 18 games into the Western Hockey League regular season. Before that, he was scoring at a remarkable point per game pace, with three goals and 15 assists in those 18 games prior to getting hurt. During the 2010-11 season, he led Moose Jaw rookies in scoring with 28 points (6 goals and 22 assists) in 65 games. He was ranked No. 5 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and No. 8 among all prospects by TSN.
Rielly, while only 6'0, is known as a defenseman who can play a physical game, in addition to his well-known prowess.