Another Lariviere gets the call
Dustin Lariviere doesn’t have to look very far for inspiration for his budding hockey career.
The 16-year-old student at Centennial Secondary School is hoping to mirror the career of his father, Trevor Lariviere, who was a solid junior B defenceman with the St. Catharines Falcons and Thorold Blackhawks, or grandfather Garry Lariviere, who played in both the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association.
“I follow my dad and grandpa’s footsteps,” Dustin Lariviere said. “I want to make a living off this or go places with this. It was pushing myself because it’s following my brother and my papa. Just pushing to become what they had and what they are doing.”
As well, older brother Dylan Lariviere recently committed to play hockey at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute after being selected by the Flint Firebirds in the ninth round of the 2021 Ontario Hockey League draft.
Dustin Lariviere took a huge step toward his goal when he was selected in the 13th round (244th overall) by the Erie Otters in the 2023 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Saturday.
“It was a very fulfilling experience,” he said. “After watching my brother get drafted two years ago, you’re just on edge the whole time just waiting for your name to be called. When you hear it get called, it’s a feeling that you’ve done well but obviously it doesn’t stop there. There’s much more work ahead but just the relief that they know you’ve been putting in that work and they’ve seen that.”
Dustin Lariviere had an inkling the Otters might chose him.
“I had some idea,” he said. “I had talked to them before the draft and had a feeling they were going to take me.”
Dustin Lariviere played for the Niagara North Stars this season where he collected five assists in 36 regular season games before potting three goals in nine post-season contests.
“Dustin served as assistant captain this year and was our team’s backbone on defence,” Stars coach Nate Mitton said. “He’s a big, strong, mobile defenceman who enjoys playing physical hockey and shutting down other team’s top players.
“It was incredible to witness his hard work and development this year. He’s a player that just seemed to keep getting better each week.”
Like his dad and grandfather, Dustin Lariviere takes care of business in his own end first.
“I’m just a big, shutdown defenceman that people don’t like to play against,” he said. “It’s just being a presence on the ice.”
Dustin Lariviere plans to continue to work on his game to get ready for training camp.
“I have to work on my speed and pace of the game. Obviously jumping to the next level it’s a lot different tempo and speed. You have to think fast and move fast at the same time. It’s adapting to the speed. It’s a big jump from minor hockey to that,” he said.
He plans to do whatever he can to crack Erie’s roster this fall.
“Obviously, plan A is to make the OHL but (if not) junior B,” he said.
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