(Submitted photo/Riley Ashe)

By Ben Tompkins

Dreams come true

Riley Ashe selected in 2021 WHL Prospects Draft

Dec 16, 2021 | 4:38 PM

Riley Ashe, a 15-year-old forward from Warman, Sask., was selected 56 overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, by the Prince George Cougars.

Riley, brother of former Melfort Mustang Dylan Ashe, is currently playing for the Saskatoon Blazers’ U18 AAA team in the SMAAAHL.

Riley spoke to northeastnow and recounted his experience of what it felt like when he was finally drafted to the WHL.

“We (my family and I) were sitting there and just waiting and waiting for me to get drafted and it went on a bit longer than anticipated,” he said. “When I finally got picked, none of that mattered, nor did where I went because I was just excited to be a part of that team now. Whoever selected me, all I cared about was just getting better for the future.”

The Cougars, who selected Riley, are currently 26 games into the season with a record of 12-14. Along with the season Riley still has left with the Blazers, his goal is to improve as much as he can, so he can be in the ‘Northern Capital of B.C.’ come the fall of 2022.

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“My goal is to be playing on that team come the fall,” he said. “I feel like I have the skill and talent, I just have to put it all together and prove myself. The rest of the season is just really about improving my game and just developing. It’s just about getting better from now on.”

Riley was called-up to play a special exhibition game with the Melfort Mustangs back in September, and said it still helped him improve and prepare for his future ahead.

“I think it definitely helped me get better as a player and maybe mature,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a faster, bigger game with size and strength, so that definitely helped me a lot and I feel like it gave me an idea of what to prepare for when I try and make that next step into the WHL.”

According to Riley, if he doesn’t make the roster for Prince George this coming year, something like playing a season with the Mustangs has absolutely crossed his mind.

“I see myself with Prince George next year just based on bias because it’s me, so I hope I’ll be there but I think the second plan would be to go to like Melfort. That’s my idea, we just haven’t really talked to Prince George about it.”

“I just think that would be a good way to go to get better,” he said. “It would be a good fit too because I’m trying to get ready for that WHL game and you want to be playing against tougher and stronger opponents.”

Of course for Riley, he said playing for the Mustangs would be an honour for him, as that’s what his brother did with his dad now also part of the organization. He also said getting drafted into the WHL is an honour too, as it’s something his brother never got to do.

“It means a lot to me because my brother didn’t get drafted and it’s kind of like a new experience for us (my family),” he said. “So many more doors and options are open, so it’s a little different. He (my brother) was a role model for me and he still is, so I just got to work hard. I just look forward to the future.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8