Few NHL defensemen have worn seven different jerseys and still kept collecting paychecks at the top level of professional hockey the way Mike Reilly has.
While he never landed a superstar contract like Dougie Hamilton or Roman Josi, Reilly has quietly built a career worth over $16.4 million in verified NHL earnings alone — a figure that surprises many fans who overlook his decade-long run of consistent, professional-level play.
This article breaks down Mike Reilly’s net worth, his full contract history, season-by-season salary, and what really adds up when you follow a journeyman defenseman’s financial footprint across the NHL.
Mike Reilly’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael J. Reilly Jr. |
| Date of Birth | July 13, 1993 |
| Age | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height / Weight | 6’1″ / 196 lbs |
| Position | Defenseman (Right Defense) |
| Shoots | Left |
| Current NHL Team | Carolina Hurricanes |
| NHL Draft | 2011, 4th Round, 98th Overall (Columbus Blue Jackets) |
| NHL Teams | Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes |
| Years Active (NHL) | 2015–Present |
| Career Earnings | $16,452,744 (verified) |
| Net Worth | ~$5–6 million (estimated) |
| Current Salary | $1,100,000 (2025–26 season) |
| @mikereilly_6 |
Early Life & Hockey Journey
Mike Reilly was born in Chicago on July 13, 1993, but grew up in Chanhassen, Minnesota — a suburb that has produced a surprising number of hockey-minded kids who go on to play at elite levels.
His father, Michael Reilly Sr., was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the eighth round of the 1977 NHL amateur draft, though he never played an NHL game. The hockey bloodline was clearly passed down.
Reilly sharpened his skills at the Academy of Holy Angels, a high school in the Minneapolis area, where he posted impressive offensive numbers across two seasons before making the leap to the Shattuck-Saint Mary’s prep program — one of the most respected hockey development pipelines in North America.
His 48 points in 54 games at Shattuck confirmed his offensive potential and set the stage for his recruitment to a top college program.
Rather than jump straight to the pros after being drafted 98th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2011, Reilly chose to play junior hockey for the Penticton Vees of the BCHL, where he exploded for 83 points in 51 games — a stunning offensive outburst for a defenseman.
That performance made him one of the most sought-after college free agents heading into his freshman year at the University of Minnesota.
At Minnesota, Reilly developed into one of the best offensive defensemen in college hockey.
He earned the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award in both 2014 and 2015, along with consecutive First-Team All-Big Ten and AHCA All-American honors.
He scored 42 points in his junior year alone, making him arguably the most productive blueliner in NCAA hockey at the time.
After three seasons with the Golden Gophers, Reilly turned pro in May 2015 and, notably, informed Columbus that he would not be signing with them — becoming an unrestricted college free agent.
NHL Career
Reilly’s NHL journey is best described as a tour of the league.
He signed his first professional deal with the Minnesota Wild on July 1, 2015 — an entry-level contract worth $1.85 million over two years — choosing his home state over the franchise that drafted him.
He made his NHL debut on January 9, 2016, scoring his first career NHL goal the following month against the Boston Bruins.
After bouncing between Minnesota and the AHL’s Iowa Wild, Reilly was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in February 2018 in exchange for a fifth-round pick — a sign the Wild had too many young defensemen blocking his path.
With Montreal, he found more ice time and showed his puck-moving skill set, recording eight assists in 19 games to close out that season.
Reilly signed a two-year, $3 million extension with Montreal and continued as a regular in their lineup before being shipped to the Ottawa Senators in January 2020.
It was in Ottawa that he had one of his best statistical stretches — posting a career-high 19 assists in just 40 games during the 2020–21 season, which made him a hot commodity at the trade deadline.
The Boston Bruins acquired him on April 11, 2021, in exchange for a third-round pick. Reilly thrived in Boston, posting a full career-high 27 assists across 15 regular-season and 11 playoff games combined in that shortened season.
The Bruins rewarded him with a three-year, $9 million extension in July 2021 — the biggest contract of his career. His 2021–22 season was his most complete as a full-time NHL regular, playing 70 games and posting career highs in goals (4) and ice time.
After a difficult 2022–23 season in which he was placed on waivers and reassigned to the Providence Bruins, Reilly bounced through the Florida Panthers and then found a career-year resurgence with the New York Islanders in 2023–24, recording six goals and 18 assists in 59 games.
He signed with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 1, 2025 — his seventh NHL franchise — on a one-year, $1.1 million deal.
Mike Reilly’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Mike Reilly’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $5–6 million.
He built this through verified NHL contracts totaling over $16.4 million in career earnings, after accounting for federal and state taxes, agent fees (typically 3–4%), and standard living expenses across a decade of professional play.
NHL Contract
Mike Reilly’s current contract is a one-year deal signed with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 1, 2025.
The deal pays him $1.1 million for the 2025–26 season with a cap hit of $1.1 million, representing approximately 1.2% of the NHL’s salary cap. At the conclusion of this contract, Reilly will be an unrestricted free agent (UFA).
Salary
Reilly’s peak annual salary came during his three-year Boston Bruins extension (2021–2024), which carried an average annual value of $3 million.
His current $1.1 million salary ranks in the lower tier of NHL defenseman compensation, reflecting his veteran role as a depth contributor rather than a top-four blueliner.
Over his career, his annual cap hits have ranged from a $925,000 entry-level contract to a maximum of $3 million per year during his Bruins tenure.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season(s) | Team | Contract Value | AAV / Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Minnesota Wild | $925,000 | $925,000 |
| 2016–17 | Minnesota Wild | $925,000 | $925,000 |
| 2017–18 | Minnesota Wild / MTL | $675,000 | $675,000 |
| 2018–19 | Montreal Canadiens | $775,000 | $775,000 |
| 2019–20 | Montreal Canadiens | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 |
| 2020–21 | Ottawa Senators | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 |
| 2021–22 | Boston Bruins | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| 2022–23 | Boston Bruins | $3,000,000 | $3,000,000 |
| 2023–24 (buyout) | Boston Bruins (buyout) | $4,000,000 (buyout year) | — |
| 2023–24 | Florida Panthers | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 2023–24 | New York Islanders | $1,000,000 | (via Florida contract) |
| 2024–25 | New York Islanders | $1,250,000 | $1,250,000 |
| 2025–26 | Carolina Hurricanes | $1,100,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Career Total | $16,452,744 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Minnesota Wild | 29 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -4 | 8 |
| 2016–17 | Minnesota Wild | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 2 |
| 2017–18 | Minnesota Wild | 38 | 2 | 8 | 10 | -6 | 18 |
| 2017–18 | Montreal Canadiens | 19 | 0 | 8 | 8 | +1 | 8 |
| 2018–19 | Montreal Canadiens | 57 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 16 |
| 2019–20 | Montreal Canadiens | 14 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +2 | 6 |
| 2019–20 | Ottawa Senators | 30 | 1 | 11 | 12 | -8 | 18 |
| 2020–21 | Ottawa Senators | 40 | 0 | 19 | 19 | -2 | 18 |
| 2020–21 | Boston Bruins | 15 | 0 | 8 | 8 | +7 | 4 |
| 2021–22 | Boston Bruins | 70 | 4 | 13 | 17 | -1 | 32 |
| 2022–23 | Boston Bruins | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | Florida Panthers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | New York Islanders | 59 | 6 | 18 | 24 | +1 | 28 |
| 2024–25 | New York Islanders | 18 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -3 | 2 |
| 2025–26 | Carolina Hurricanes | 42 | 1 | 8 | 9 | +9 | 26 |
| NHL Totals | 460 | 19 | 114 | 133 | -11 | 190 |
- Playoff career: 21 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 Pts, 10 PIM
FAQs
What is Mike Reilly’s net worth?
Mike Reilly’s estimated net worth is approximately $5–6 million, based on verified career earnings of over $16.4 million, after taxes, agent fees, and living expenses over his 10-year NHL career.
What is Mike Reilly’s current NHL salary?
Reilly earns $1.1 million for the 2025–26 season under his one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, signed on July 1, 2025. His cap hit is $1.1 million, which accounts for about 1.2% of the NHL salary cap.
What is Mike Reilly’s highest-paid season?
His peak earnings came during the 2022–23 Boston Bruins season, where his contract carried a $3 million annual value — the highest AAV of his career. His entry in the 2021–22 season paid him $2 million in base salary as the first year of that same three-year deal.
How many NHL teams has Mike Reilly played for?
Reilly has played for seven NHL franchises: the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, and the Carolina Hurricanes, where he currently plays.
Did Mike Reilly ever win a Stanley Cup?
He came closest during his tenure with the Boston Bruins (2021–2022) and after playing briefly with the Florida Panthers — who went on to win the 2024 Stanley Cup — though he had already been claimed off waivers by the Islanders before their championship run that year.
