Sabres' O'Reilly charged with impaired driving after allegedly hitting a Tim Hortons
The Middlesex County branch of the Ontario Provincial Police has charged Buffalo Sabres forward Ryan O'Reilly with impaired driving.
O'Reilly was charged after he allegedly hit a Tim Hortons location in Lucan, Ont., around 4 a.m. on Thursday.
According to the OPP report, O'Reilly hit the coffee shop in his green pickup truck before driving off. Police found the vehicle and the occupants nearby a short time later and determined O'Reilly was intoxicated.
"We're very concerned about the number of impaired drivers out there," OPP Constable Liz Melvin told reporters. "We encourage everyone to make alternative arrangements and not choose to drive with any amount of alcohol in their system."
O'Reilly was born in nearby Clinton, Ont., and has a cottage on Lake Huron. He has also been charged with failure to remain and is scheduled to appear in court in London, Ont., on August 20.
The Sabres released the following statement over Twitter on Monday:
#Sabres GM Tim Murray: “We are aware of the reports regarding the incident involving Ryan O’Reilly last week. We are currently.." [1/2]
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 14, 2015
"..in the process of gathering more information and will have no further comment until we have spoken with all parties involved.” [2/2]
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 14, 2015
O'Reilly was awarded the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct in 2014. Buffalo acquired the 24-year-old from the Colorado Avalanche in June and signed him to a seven-year contract extension with an average annual value of $7.5 million.