The Timmins Rock have acquired the rights to 2007-birth-year goalie Dryden Riley from the Greater Kingston Gaels, of the ETAHL U16, in exchange for a player development fee. Riley will back up Rock starting goalie Patrick Boivin during the 2023-24 NOJHL campaign. SUBMITTED PHOTO jpg, TD, apsmc
The Timmins Rock will have another 2007-birth-year Ontario Hockey League prospect backing up starting goalie Patrick Boivin during the 2023-24 NOJHL campaign.
Thomas Perry
The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
TIMMINS – The Timmins Rock will have another 2007-birth-year Ontario Hockey League prospect backing up starting goalie Patrick Boivin during the 2023-24 NOJHL campaign.
Jacob Brown, who shared the crease with Boivin this past season, has signed with the OHL’s Flint Firebirds, who took him in the fourth round, 80th overall, of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection and he is expected to suit up for them in the coming campaign.
In his place, the Rock have acquired the rights to goalie Dryden Riley, who was selected in the 11th round, 204th overall, by the Erie Otters in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection.
“Timmins had such a great team this year and I know I am going to fit right in,” he said, after finishing a round of golf with his dad and some buddies on Sunday.
“I talked to Jacob Brown and he had nothing but good things to say about Timmins.”
Riley (two shutouts, 2.63 goals against average) comes to the Rock from the ETAHL U16’s Greater Kingston Gaels in exchange for a player development fee.
A Trenton product who catches with his left hand, Riley was listed at 5-11, 140 pounds on the Gaels website, but has grown to 6-0 and 155 pounds.
Like Brown, Riley will be joining the Rock in his 16 year old season, and the new puck stopper agreed the success the former had in the NOJHL factored into his desire to join the Rock.
“Jacob played really well this past season and I am hoping to be able to play as well as he did,” Riley said.
That is a lofty goal considering Brown finished atop the NOJHL in both goals against average (1.49) and shutouts (seven), as well as second in save percentage (.925), but he is confident he will be up to the task.
“I would describe my game as fast, explosive but controlled,” Riley said.
He isn’t as physically imposing as the 6-2, 180-pound Brown, so he feels his quickness and flexibility will be the key to him having success in the NOJHL this season.
“I have been told my reaction time is quite quick,” he said.
“That is very important for somebody of my size. These days most goalies are so tall, so if you are my size your reflexes have to be pretty fast.”
The goalie Riley will be sharing the crease with this season, Boivin, is 5-10 and 178 pounds coming off one of the most successful campaigns of any NOJHL goalie in recent history.
“I am really looking forward to it,” he said.
“He is a lot older than I am and I am definitely looking forward to learning from him. He has more experience with the team and more experience in general and he is a great goaltender.
“He is one of the best goalies in the NOJHL and to be able to go out there in practice and see him every day is going to be great.”
Riley is also looking forward to becoming part of a team that will have more than 10 players with Centennial Cup experience returning to the lineup.
“They were excellent this season, so coming back they will be leaders, setting an example for us new guys,” he said.
“Hopefully, we will be able to go all the way again this year.”
Riley will be attending rookie camp with the OHL’s Otters but he isn’t expecting to make their roster for the upcoming season.
“My main goal is to get bigger and stronger,” he said.
“I am working out five days a week and I believe if I get bigger and stronger, I will be even faster.
“Hopefully, that will eventually put me ahead of their other goalies.”
Riley tries to pattern his game after Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who despite being 6-4 and 220 pounds, is very quick for his size.
“Being that fast is very crucial. He is one of the fastest goalies in the NHL. It is very important these days to have speed and be able to keep up with the play.”
With a first name like Dryden, surely one of his parents must have been a Montreal Canadiens fan, right?
“They actually are and my dad was a goalie, until he was 17,” Riley said.
His grandfather was also quite the hockey player in his day, although not as a goalie.
“My granddad, my dad’s dad, Ron Riley (22, 0-5-5, 2), played pro in the WHA with the Ottawa Nationals.”
Riley isn’t really sure if following in his dad’s footsteps is what led to him becoming a goalie, but once he strapped on the pads for the first time there was no turning back.
“I really didn’t play hockey for a while,” he said.
“I started at the age of seven and just went straight into goalie. It might have been because of my dad but I just wanted to play goalie right away.
“My first practice, I knew that’s what I wanted to pursue. I kind of went from there.”
Riley has never been to Timmins before, but he is looking forward to making the trip and meeting his new teammates.
“I did look at the map and it is a pretty long drive,” he said.
While Riley and Brown are both Kingston-area products, he doesn’t know any of his new teammates.
“I have practiced with Jacob, but he is the only player I knew on the Timmins roster,” Riley said.
That could, of course, be subject to change as the goalie will not be the only new player wearing the maroon, gold and white for the upcoming campaign.
Riley has heard about the large crowds the Rock draw for their home games and he is already pumped to get a chance to play for the team.
“I really enjoy getting to play in front of fans,” he said.
“I believe, personally, I play better under pressure and I play better when the environment is loud and everyone is excited in the stands.”
Riley is looking forward to bringing a positive attitude to the Rock dressing room and would definitely be described as a glass half full kind of guy.
“I really enjoy everyone being happy and I believe if everyone on the team is doing their part the team will respond and we will win lots of games,” he said.
Working out five times a week over the summer, Riley has also incorporated yoga and Pilates into regimen, to maintain and improve his flexibility.
“You don’t want to just build muscle, you want to be able to move and be agile, as well,” he said.
“You don’t want to strain a muscle or pull a muscle (while playing a game or practicing).”
All work and no play isn’t good, either, so Riley likes to spend parts of his summer relaxing.
“I love golfing,” he said.
“That is really my kind of get away, it takes the pressure off, clears my mind to go golfing with my friends or my dad. I really enjoy it.”
So, is Riley a good golfer?
“I am alright, but I do it more for fun,” he said.
According to Riley’s bio on the Gaels website, he likes to spend time fishing, as well.
“I do go fishing with my dad,” he said.
Riley is looking forward to getting a chance to maybe do a little fishing in his spare time once he makes the trek to Timmins.
“I have heard a lot of great stories about Timmins and fishing, well ice fishing, because it is always cold up there,” he said.
The Rock will be looking to bolster their roster of returning Centennial Cup veterans when they hold their annual development camp at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby, from July 7-9.
Players attending will be evaluated during on-ice practice and game situations.
Cost of the camp is $250 per player. Anyone interested in participating can register at www.timminsrock.com, or more information can be obtained by emailing gm@timminsrock.com.
