Riley Braun - Still waters run deep

September 6th, 2020
North Saanich, British Columbia

Riley Braun had his first taste of Junior Hockey four years ago when he attended Panthers Spring Camp in April.  And he was brillliant as a 15-year-old, much more than Head Coach Brad Tippett and GM Pete Zubersky had expected.

"He came in not as an unknown being a Peninsula kid from PMHA but we certainly did not expect that he would have the kind of camp that he did," expounded Pete Zubersky.

"But he worked as hard as any player and his play made me keep watching him that whole weekend.  After the camp was finished, he came in for his exit interview and I remember telling him that he had a great camp and jokingly asked if he was feeling cocky after the three days for what he had accomplished.  His response was, 'No, I'm feeling confident.'  I still laugh today thinking about that conversation.  He is quiet but he is also as passionate as any player that has gone through this program.  He wants to win as badly as anyone."

Zubersky spoke a bit more about how he views what Braun says and does as a leader.  "Just the other day we were going to hit the ice and Riley was sitting in the dressing room with quite a number of players.  I wanted to bounce a few things off them.  I told them that the VIJHL was moving forward with a season but that the number of fans allowed in the building had yet to be determined and would be limited.  I explained that it was going to be a tough year in terms of cash flow and that I was thinking about not having music, the video screen or an announcer.  Braun was first to speak up and offer up his opinion that things should be as close to the same as possible to make the year as normal as possible.  Logan Speirs echoed this sentiment.  After that conversation it was pretty clear to me what I had to do."

Braun is only a 19-year-old but he is clearly on a path and he knows exactly where it will lead.  He completed his Grade 12 a year earlier than most and is now going into his 3rd year at the University of Victoria.  His parents own Sidney Family Dentistry in the heart of Sidney and they would love nothing more than if Riley finished his Education and joined the family business as a Dentist.  It would be a wise bet to make if you were laying down a few dollars in Vegas.

Braun seldom asks for new equipment from the Club but when he does it is beat up and shredded.  He is great in the corners and in traffic and is a perfect fit on a line with Tanner Wort and Josh Lingard.  The three absolutely tore up the League last season, all three finishing in the top four in scoring.  Braun was second only to Wort and most pundits are looking for the same type of production this time around.

"I had a really fun year, one of the best groups I’ve been a part of, everyone came to play every night," quipped Braun.
 
"It’s been really special playing on a line with the same guys now for a fifth straight season, I hope to continue to find success with them.  My goal for this year is for me and my line mates to finish 1,2,3 in scoring, as well as having the team win a championship."
 
"It’s great to be able to play hockey while also taking classes, Panthers are the only team that allows me to take a full courseload.  I think we have a great core of vets and some talented rookies, so I think our team will have a lot of success this year."

Tippett knows he is fortunate to have such a high-end talent who is absolutely maintenance-free and commented on the VIJHL All-Star. 

"To tell how much respect Riley has in the league – you just have to be reminded that he is the only player who has been chosen for the VIJHL Top Prospects game for three consecutive years. We ask our players which NHL player's style resembles yours. In my mind, Colorado’s Nathan McKinnon fits Riley perfectly. He pays attention to detail, does everything well, is accountable and most of all --reliable. Whether we are up a goal or down a goal in the last minute – Riley will be on the ice.  He is yet another leader by example for our Club."  

Braun is a quiet but extremely passionate leader.  Still waters run deep.