Riva ramps up his game

Matthew Riva found out the benefits of hard work last summer.

The 17-year-old centre worked out during the off season with former Canucks Mac Hollowell and Kurtis Henry and quickly realized what it takes to get to the next level.

Riva, a 17-year-old, Grade 12 student at Saint Michael Catholic High School, joined Hollowell, who was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Henry, a member of the Erie Otters, and was taken aback at their workout regime. 

“The first time I went I thought I was going to pass out,” Riva said. “We did lot of mixed workout routines that were new to me.

“It helped a lot just them showing me how hard they work to play in the OHL.”

The hard work has paid off big time for the speedy centre who put on about 10 pounds of muscle without sacrificing his blazing speed.

“I feel faster and stronger on the puck and my shot has gotten a lot better.”

Riva, always a solid defensive player and top-notch penalty killer, has moved up the depth chart from fourth-line centre to second-line centre as well as being a member of the Canucks’ second unit on the power play.

“He played every game last year. Was a fourth-line centre and played really well defensively,” Canucks coach Frank Pietrangelo said. “He didn’t score a lot (two goals) but was on our PK and works is ass off.

“He’s in the top percentage of the league in skating. When you can skate you can do a lot of things. That’s translated and his confidence has gone up.”

Riva has already topped his points total from last season and is scoring at a point-per-game pace so far with eight goals and 16 points in 16 games.

“His offence has kicked in and that was the piece that was missing last year,” Pietrangelo said. “We knew he could play the defensive part of the game.  We saw him every day in practice and knew that he had the offensive skill. 

“We knew his potential was all about. We knew it was just a matter of when the offence was going to kick in. He had so many chances in games and we knew it was going to come in time. If you’re getting the changes, sooner or later, they are going to go in. If you’re not getting the chances, then you have to start worrying.”

Riva admitted he had his share of struggles last season.

“Last year it was really frustrating because I didn’t get the bounces I wanted but this year it’s the complete opposite,” he said. “It gave me more confidence in myself that I can handle the puck and have the ability to make plays.”

Riva, who was selected to participate in 2017-18 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League OJHL Future Stars Game, is a solid student who plans to attend Brock next year and study business.

On the ice, Pietrangelo sees Riva becoming even more of a force to be reckoned with as he gains more experience.

“I think we’re just scratching the surface with him. I think he’s going to be a super player,” he said. “He’s definitely (already) a top-six guy in the league.”

The Canucks, 18-2-0-1, are home to the Pelham Panthers Friday. They then visit the Lockport Regals Saturday and the Hamilton Kilty B’s next Monday.

The Canucks are coming off a 4-2 win over the Blades last Friday that saw them fall begin 2-0 before rallying for the win.

“We weren’t prepared for the game and Lockport is playing much better,” Pietrangelo said. “We still threw 50 shots on net. 

“We’re playing good hockey and it’s a long year with ups and downs.”