Ex-Penguins Forward Stuns With Surprise Move to Switzerland

Back in 2005, Cal O'Reilly was a fifth-round pick of the Nashville Predators, and 20 years later, he's still going strong at the professional level, as he has thrived in North America over that time.

Since debuting in the NHL, O'Reilly has appeared in 145 games for Nashville, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Minnesota, but it's been his work in the AHL that's drawn him the most attention, as he passed the 1,000 games played milestone at that level.

Now however, the 38-year old forward has officially announced his departure from the AHL and North America, as he shocked the hockey world by revealing he'll be playing in Switzerland next season.

While O'Reilly's time in Pittsburgh was short, he made a solid impact, appearing in 6 games for Pittsburgh and 21 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton back in 2011/12, before a stint overseas and then an eventual return to the AHL and North America.

O'Reilly will be remembered much more for his time with Nashville, as he played his first 5 seasons in the NHL and 5 seasons in the AHL for the organization, before finishing his time by playing in Milwaukee over the last two seasons.

Ultimately, O'Reilly will be remembered as one of the great AHL players of all-time, as he was a consistent leader and a player on the ice, and now, we'll watch and enjoy how his career overseas goes at the age of 38.