By: Ellie Hazelwood
Dustin Riff, goalie for the Ottawa West Golden Knights, has been on the ice since he was eight.
Now, Riff is 20 years old, and holds a strong net presence, always staying calm, cool, and collected.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Riff started out as a forward, but when the opportunity came to become a goalie, he put on the pads, and fell in love with it.
Riff wears number 33 on his jersey. His grandfather has always been a huge supporter, and #1 fan of his grandson, so Riff chose 33 to honour his grandfather’s lucky number.
Riff is a Montreal Canadiens fan, but has been inspired by Pekka Rinne, retired Nashville Predators goaltender, and Juuse Saros, current goaltender for the Predators. He looks up to them, and matches their style of remaining calm, and collected, as well as their hockey IQ when it comes to tracking the puck.
When it comes to Riff’s hockey career, he started out in AAA in Montreal, for the French River Rapids (NOJHL), and then went on to play for the Brockville Braves U18 AAA. He moved on to play with the Brockville Tikis (EOJHL) and the Brockville Braves (CCHL). After his time in Brockville, Riff decided to take a step back, and that’s how he ended up with the Golden Knights.
Everyone brings their own strengths to the team, and Riff has many.
“I think I’m a great glue guy. I try to keep it positive in the room, regardless of the situation,” Riff said. “Just try to keep the boys cool, calm, and collected. On the ice, I try to keep them in it, and give them the confidence they need to go out there, and score some goals. I give them something, and they give it back, which helps us win hockey games.”
When Riff isn’t on the ice, he helps out at school back home in Montreal. He also watches NHL games, keeping up with other hockey leagues in the winter. When it’s the offseason, and warm outside, Riff enjoys golfing.
Every hockey player likes to listen to music to get hyped up before games, and have their own pre-game prep.
“My song would be The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani. That’s a good one,” Riff said. “I would say my biggest pre-game ritual is probably playing sewer ball with the boys, just kicking a soccer ball around.”
Riff’s favourite thing about playing for the Ottawa West Golden Knights is the boys.
“We’re a great group of guys this year. I didn’t really know many of the guys coming into this year,” said Riff. “But right off the bat, it’s a very tight group of guys. A very positive group of guys too, it’s probably the most positive environment I’ve been in. It’s definitely the main thing I love about playing here.”
Riff has a positive and calm energy, hockey IQ, and a love for the game, which makes him an important player for the Ottawa West Golden Knights.
