He walks the walk, but he also says he can talk the talk.
Prince George Cougars’ Riley Heidt says he’s looking forward to joining the organization, hopefully in August for training camp depending on the COVID-19 pandemic, after he was taken second overall in yesterday’s (April 22) WHL Bantam Draft.
Today (April 23), the 15-year-old signed a standard player agreement with the Cats, which solidifies the centreman's commitment to the team in the years to come.
Watch Riley Heidt and General Manager & Head Coach, Mark Lamb talk about the signing.#WHL #WHLBantamDraft pic.twitter.com/zJVo1oqXwu
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) April 23, 2020
Heidt was given the chance to play at a higher level for the 2019-20 season with the Saskatoon Contacts in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA League and says that experience makes for an easier transition into the major junior level.
“I think I can play a bigger role in a team aspect,” said Heidt when asked by PrinceGeorgeMatters on what he can bring to the table compared to his future teammates.
“Anywhere from leadership to being on the ice, I really think I can step forward with that and I know we’ve got a couple of good guys coming in here and they’re a great team. I think I can bring in a good aspect to the team by doing what I can do best, play my game and be the person that I am.”
In fact, the game he plays was so good, he compiled 153 points over two bantam-league seasons in Martensville en route to a 2019 provincial title with the Marauders, hence his impressive jump to play with 16-,17- and 18-year-olds last year.
Congrats to Riley Heidt @PGCougars and Brayden Yager @MJWARRIORS drafted #2 and #3 overall in the @TheWHL 2020 Bantam Draft. Both players were huge in helping the @baamarauders to their Championship season! pic.twitter.com/9N6kQ5C8QY
— Marauders Bantam AA (@baamarauders) April 22, 2020
From there, Heidt was consistent with 37 points in 44 games, including 17 goals, and his resilience caught the eyes of Cougar scouts, including Head Coach and General Manager Mark Lamb.
“The research that our scouts did and myself, everything that we did went back to Riley,” said Lamb during an online conference with Prince George media this morning, noting the Cougars winning the 2020 draft lottery made the decision easier to pick the best player available.
“He’s an outstanding player, outstanding family and he makes players better around him. That’s what he does; he’s got a big compete-level to him, that’s something we really want in Prince George and we couldn’t be happier.”
Heidt even has family connections to B.C.’s northern capital, which he says will make the eventual move more comfortable and exciting.
“I’ve gotten in touch with them a little bit and they’re excited to see me up there and play up there because I know how good of a place it is,” he said.
“I’m [also] very excited to get to know the community and the people around it.”
Heidt said he’s had a passion for the game of hockey as far back as he can remember, making the job of getting out of bed to train and play each day that much easier.
“I don’t really think of it as motivation, you know, I’ve just loved the game ever since I was little,” the centreman said when asked by PrinceGeorgeMatters.
“I don’t see it as, I have to work to get out of bed because I love to. I’ve been skating in the morning three times a week ever since I was a kid and I use that to develop myself. I love working and training and getting better every day.”
Heidt thanks his parents and siblings for supporting his career thus far and adds he’ll focus on developing this summer in whatever way he can to try and make the Prince George Cougars’ roster for 2020-21.
He was one of 10 total players selected by the Cats on Wednesday and one of only two born in Saskatchewan.
