Life of Riley takes quick turn to OHL

BRAMPTON, Ont. – Patrick Killeen knew exactly what fellow goaltender Jacob Riley was going through Sunday.
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rLike Killeen, Riley joined the Brampton Battalion as a 16-year-old at the end of training camp, making his debut in Ontario Hockey League preseason action against the host Kitchener Rangers a day later.
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r“I figured I’d be at home right now,” Riley said Monday. “But this is pretty exciting. I’m glad to be here.”
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rLondon resident Riley allowed five goals on 19 shots in 28:48 of action in relief of Killeen in Kitchener’s 7-1 victory. Two of the goals Riley surrendered came on the power play.
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r“It was a great feeling to get into that game,” said Riley. “It was a lot different from what I’d been used to. I’d never played in front of that many people. The game was a lot quicker than what I’d been used to, and I need to adjust to that. Their guys were definitely taking advantage of rebounds, and you can’t give them any extra opportunities.”
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rKilleen, a fifth-round pick in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection, went all the way in his debut, making 28 saves in an 8-5 loss.
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r“I remember that the first half of the game was similar to what I’d been used to in minor hockey. It was just a lot faster. But in the last half of the game I could hardly breathe and let in a bunch of goals. You can’t afford to fall asleep, because these guys have so much talent they can beat you from anywhere on the ice.”
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rRiley, a seventh-round pick in May from the London Knights minor midgets, was one of five goaltenders at camp battling to back up Killeen, in his fourth OHL season.
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r“I came into camp with a positive attitude,” said Riley. “I tried to focus on every shot. I’m glad the coaches had the mindset to give this opportunity to someone my age. I’ll be looking to take advantage of it. I worked hard all summer to be in this spot.”
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rKilleen played two exhibition games before returning to his Ottawa-area home and playing with the Ottawa Junior Senators of the Central Junior A League. He returned to the Battalion in November, 2006, when Aaron Rock’s contract was sold to the Kingston Frontenacs.
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r“Making the team as a 16-year-old is different,” said Killeen. “It’s a big change. You come to camp and you hope to make the team, but in your mind you know it’ll be hard to do. But the next thing you know you’re in the dressing room with all the guys.”
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rKilleen said the six-foot, 162-pound Riley looks to have a bright future.
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r“He’s a good goalie. He’ll just need to get used to everything. He’s fast and works hard. It’s still hockey. It’s not that much different from what he’s done before. He just needs to focus and do what he can to make sure the team has its best chance to win.”
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rRiley said he appreciates Killeen’s guidance.
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r“He’s been showing me the ropes. There are a lot of things I didn’t know. It’s great to have a guy like him showing me the way.”