Rock stars of the net
Not only are they two of the best goalies in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League but they are two of the younger ones. And not only that, Dryden Riley and Graham Gee both guard the net for the same team — the Timmins Rock, which is one of the top three clubs among the 12 of the NOJHL.
Oh, and one more thing — both goalies are Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft picks. The 6 foot, 160 pound Riley, who has a late 2007 birth date, is an OHL draft pick of the Erie Otters. Meanwhile, the 6 foot, 155 pound Gee, who was born in 2008, is an OHL draft pick of the Kingston Frontenacs.
To be sure, the numbers that both young goalies have posted for Timmins at the midway point of the ’24-25 NOJHL season are among the best in the entire Canadian Jr. Hockey League.
Riley has a record of 13-5-0 to go with a 2.08 goals against average and .930 save percentage. And Gee has a record of 6-2-0 with a 2.09 goals against average and .914 save percentage. Both goalies also have one shutout each.
Ted Gooch, who is the president of the Rock, helps to provide the resource that assists high end head coach and general manager Brandon Perry in keeping Timmins competitive season in and season out. But it is beyond hockey that also impresses Gooch about the talented twine tending tandem of Riley and Gee.
“This season, Dryden Riley and Graham Gee have proven themselves as standout athletes and exemplary individuals. Their exceptional play has been pivotal to our team’s success, earning them accolades as two of the league’s most consistent and talented goaltenders. However, their achievements extend far beyond the rink,” Gooch relayed to Hockey News North.
“Both players are honour students, excelling academically while balancing the demands of their athletic commitments. In addition, their dedication to their community has made them role models for peers and young fans alike,” Gooch added.
The Timmins president went a step further in his praise of Riley and Gee.
“Their ability to lead both on the ice and in the classroom serves as an inspiration, embodying the values of hard work, discipline, and integrity. Coaches, teammates, and fans are all thrilled with their performance this season and look forward to their continued success. Dryden Riley and Graham Gee: — they are athletes, scholars, and leaders in every sense of the word,” summed up Gooch.
Wow.
Kingstons Mason Vaccari is also a honor student and has won a few awards for his contributions to the community. On another note any idea when the Vikings will get into their own arena?
Probably not until after Christmas for the Vikings.