The Chilliwack Chiefs have a void in net with the graduation of Mathieu Caron, and the BCHL team made a move to fill it Wednesday (June 30).
The Chiefs signed 2002-born goalie Grant Riley, adding a high-end prospect.
A New York product, Riley logged USHL minutes with two teams last season. The numbers weren’t great. The 18-year-old posted a 7.40 goals-against average and .714 save percentage in two appearances with the Tri-City Storm. He had a 4.10 goals-against average and .837 save percentage in five outings with the Omaha Lancers.
But small sample-size caveats apply, and Chilliwack Chiefs goaltending coach Mackenzie Skapski is happy to work with the six-foot-four stopper.
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“We are really excited about Grant,” Skapski said. “He is a big kid with a big presentation and his size is supported with really good mobility. We are excited to help Grant continue to find success as a Chilliwack Chief.”
Riley is eligible for the 2021 National Hockey League entry draft and comes to Chilliwack with an NCAA commitment already in hand. He is slated to join the Boston College Eagles for the 2022-23 college hockey season.
“Grant is a goaltender we have had our eye on for some time now,” said Chiefs hockey boss Brian Maloney. “We’re extremely excited to welcome him and his family to Chilliwack. He is going to fit in seamlessly with the culture we have created here, and will be given every opportunity to continue to develop his game prior to joining Boston College.”