Ryley Risling (96) has committed to Robert Morris University for next fall, the Penticton Vees announced Friday.
The 20-year-old Risling said he was thoroughly impressed during his campus visit.
“The players and staff were very good to me when I was down visiting,” said Risling in a team statement. “I felt comfortable as soon as I stepped foot on the campus. It wasn’t a tough decision for me to make.”
The Medicine Hat, Alta, product is off to a solid start with the Vees posting seven goals and 13 points in 23 games, which puts him sixth in team scoring. Risling came to the Vees in an off-season trade with the Canmore Eagles of the Albert Junior Hockey League.
READ MORE: Vees boost scoring depth in three-team trade
Last season, he split time between Canmore and the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League. After returning to the Eagles, Risling was limited to just 15 games due to injury but still managed to average nearly a point per-game picking up five goals and nine assists. In the 2014-15 season he finished third in team scoring with 46 points in 54 regular season games. That season he led the Eagles in goals (26) and tied for the team-lead in power-play markers (10).
The Vees’ forward says the program’s track record drew him to the school.
“They’re an up and coming program that’s quickly developed a winning culture. Every year they’re in the mix to go to the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. That type of environment is big for me in my development moving forward and I can’t wait to get there.”
The Colonials play in the Atlantic Hockey Conference (AHC) and they’re off to a 5-3-1-0 start. Head coach Derek Schooley has been with the program since it moved to the NCAA Division 1 level in 2004, and has guided the Colonials to back-to-back AHC Regular Season Conference championships. The school is located in Neville Township, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh. Their roster includes Vees alum Rob Mann, who’s captaining the Colonials in his senior year.
With Risling’s commitment, the Vees now have 15 players on their roster committed to NCAA Division 1 programs.
