Born in 1947, Derek Reilly spent his entire playing career with the Murrayfield club having made his first senior appearances for the Royals in the 1964/65 season.
It was twenty years later that he retired from playing following the ’84 Heineken Championship final. In that final game, he contributed an assist and a goal on a long shift, and appeared to almost single-handedly have set the Racers on their way to the title – Dundee Rockets though had other ideas winning the game 4-2 to take the title. In those twenty years, he amassed a total of 1280 points, made up of 882 goals and 398 assists, in 525 games in all official competitions – more than any other British born and trained player.
‘Pecker’ as friends and opponents alike knew him, because of his unique ‘bobbing head’ skating style, appeared in three World Championships for Great Britain scoring 10 goals and 5 assists in 19 appearances.
Upon retiring from playing, he became Public Relations Officer for the Murrayfield Racers and following an unfortunate injury to then coach Ian Ramsay, he took over as coach in the 87/88 season.
Playing either left wing or at centre, his enthusiasm, dedication and loyalty were unbounded and together with his points-scoring record of the time made up a unique contribution to the modern history of British ice hockey.
Compiled with research, provided by Martin C.Harris – 1987.
Read More
