Young center Ryan O’Reilly is the last player to leave the ice after an Avalanche practice, and the last player to leave the arena after games. Every practice. Every game.

While his teammates are headed to lunch or a post-game meal, O’Reilly is typically playing on-ice games by himself, running the arena stairs or throwing around a medicine ball. He is the epitome of a hard-working professional athlete who really cares.

Because of that, plus his exceptional skills — he led the NHL with 101 takeaways last season — the restricted free agent should not be the last Avalanche to sign a contract for 2012-13. Fact is, it’s July 20 and O’Reilly is the last remaining non-free agent to be signed by Colorado general manager Greg Sherman.

The Avs, meanwhile, have 21 veterans under contract and are more than $16 million under the current salary cap, according to capgeek.com, with plenty of money to send O’Reilly’s way. O’Reilly, 21, led the Avs in assists (37) and points (55) last season, while often taking most of the big defensive-end faceoffs and killing penalties.

He won’t command a $6.6 million salary like Paul Stastny, who is locked in for another two seasons, but he surely belongs in the $4 million range along with David Jones and P.A. Parenteau, who recently signed identical-looking, four-year, $16 million deals.

Let’s get this done. O’Reilly is not a picky, demanding guy, so the delay is probably not his fault. He wears No. 37 because he was given that jersey as an 18-year-old rookie, and never bothered to upgrade to what he really wants — “something with a 9,” he once said.

“Factor” just wants to play hockey. Give him his due contract.

Remembering Jessica Redfield.

Let’s pause for a moment to reflect on someone who will not be in the Avalanche post-game locker room this season. Jessica Ghawi, who was known professionally as Jessica Redfield, was reportedly among the victims in this morning’s Aurora theater shooting. The aspiring young journalist worked for a local radio station this past year, gathering quotes after most Avalanche games at the Pepsi Center.

Jessica was impossible to miss. She was a southern-raised redhead who was usually shaking at NHL games, because she insisted on always wearing a dress and heels. She was highly motivated, very professional, and seemingly bound to achieve her goals.

Here’s the link to our news story. Our Adrian Dater also remembers Jessica here.

O’Reilly and his teammates, along with the entire Avalanche organization and anyone who covered NHL games at the Pepsi Center, will undoubtedly miss Jessica’s heart-warming dedication and passion.

Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357, mchambers@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mchambersdp