FALMOUTH, N.S. — Former Pictou County Crusher and Summerside Western Capital Dylan Riley is already creating havoc on the scoresheet in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).
Joining the Huntsville (Alabama) Havoc in time for a recent three-game road trip, Riley potted a couple of goals and added an assist as the Havoc won all three games. Playing his first home game a couple of nights later, Riley continued his point-per-game pace by registering an assist as the Havoc lost 2-1 in a shootout.
“Not bad at all,” Riley said about his start for the league-leading Havoc, which had only lost three games in regulation time, as of Jan. 12 (23-3-1-1). “I was happy I was able to jump in and help contribute to our wins for sure.”
“I’m coming into a great organization, obviously,” Riley, from Falmouth, Hants County, said. “And we seem to be on the rise, getting better every day.”
Riley started the year at York University in Toronto, playing for the Lions. He was in his third year with the program, which has seen its schedule — like all U Sports teams — interrupted by COVID. That includes a full year lost last season and a current pause to this one.
“It seems like a lot of guys are moving on just because of the uncertainty that comes with COVID,” he said. “Our season keeps getting pushed back and it didn’t look like we were even going to have a season.”
Academically, the move to Alabama doesn’t affect Riley since he was doing his courses online anyway.
“So it kind of works out well,” he said. “I can finish those three courses (left to earn his degree) while I’m down here playing.”
Riley was immediately impressed by the league.
“It’s great hockey,” he said. “Fast, with a lot of the guys who are bigger and stronger than I’m used to.”
A quick and creative forward, Riley has scored at all levels he has played. He credits his parents for instilling in him the desire to always strive towards his best and the coaches he has had along the way for affording him the opportunities to succeed.
“Doug Doull gave me the opportunity to play with some great guys and which helped me contribute to the team by scoring a handful of goals,” he said of his time in a Crushers’ uniform and the Pictou County head coach at that time.
Chad McDavid drafted Riley for the Crushers — a steal in the sixth round.
“He took the league by storm, scoring 25 times in his rookie season, earning him rookie of the year honours,” McDavid said, adding he isn’t surprised by Riley's out-of-the-gate success in Huntsville.
“He came to the rink every day to get better, making his teammates better.”
After two-and-a-half seasons in Pictou County, Riley was traded to the Capitals, who were stocking up for a long playoff run. He said the Capitals losing to Campbellton in the second round of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) playoffs that season was disappointing, but he wouldn’t change a thing from his MHL experience.
“I had a great time with both organizations,” he said.
Now he finds himself settling into a new community and is looking forward to exploring when the opportunity arises.
“I’m excited to get out there, meet more people, and see some places around here as well,” Riley said.
Quick fact: One of Riley’s teammates with the Havoc is Sydney native Cole Reginato — a former Cape Breton Eagle, Acadia Axeman, and Yarmouth Mariner.