Carrying on the family tradition
Dylan Lariviere is following in some mighty impressive footsteps, but only to a point.
The 16-year-old, Grade 10 student at Centennial Secondary School in Welland is the grandson of former National Hockey League defenceman Garry Lariviere while his father, Trevor Lariviere, played four seasons of junior B for the St. Catharines Falcons and Thorold Blackhawks and also coached the Falcons.
But while his grandfather and father earned their keep as big, stay-at-home defencemen, Dylan is a power forward who can also put the puck in the net.
“I’ve always played forward. I started there and enjoyed it so I stuck with it,” Dylan said.
Dylan was part of one of the most successful lines in the SCTA (South Central AAA loop) combining with Chris Reid and Sam Tonelli two years ago for the Southern Tier Admirals.
“Dylan is the quintessential power forward, but with incredible hands,” Admirals coach Steve Webb said. “He had one the highest hockey IQs in the loop. At 6-foot-3 and growing he dominates net front and below the goal line. His combination of size, intelligence and hands make him a threat every shift.”
Dylan enjoys the role of power forward.
“When I’m making plays, dishing the puck, playing below the goal lines and just working down low,” he said when asked when he is most effective on the ice.
Dylan appreciates having two experienced hockey resources at his disposal — his father coached him four years of minor hockey — while grandpa is always around for a chat.
“It’s huge. It’s a big benefit to have them right there,” Dylan said. “You learn a lot everyday.
“My grandfather tells me just work hard and keep your head down.”
Dylan is looking forward to the Ontario Hockey League draft which will be held over the course of two days, with rounds 1-3 on Friday, June 4 at 7 p.m. and rounds 4-15 Saturday, June 5 at 9 a.m.
“I’ve always thought about it. It’s always in the back of your head and something you always work for,” he said. “The last couple of years I started to compete with some of the high level players, some of the ones you know are going to play.”
Dylan said he has been contacted by a couple of OHL teams and is planning to follow the draft on line.
“It will be exciting. It will be cool to see the guys you play against what happens with them too,” he said. “I feel like I want to play there. I feel like I can so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
The Admirals were able to play some three-on-three and four-on-four tournaments but had their regular season wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s frustrating but everyone is in the same boat so it’s not like I’m the only one not being able to play or practice or be on the ice,” Dylan said. “It was unfortunate. We played well together when we were out there. We all showed up. That’s how we had a lot of our success, my working. We weren’t the most skilled team but we played from our heart.”
Dylan, who is keeping busy working out and roller blading, was also a standout baseball player in his younger years, who gave up the diamond for the rink.
“I wanted to stick to hockey, that’s what I wanted to go forward with,” he said.
Trevor is also looking forward to the draft, but insists whatever happens won’t define Dylan.
“Both (wife) Stacy and myself are extremely proud of him,” Trevor said. “Whatever happens that day, we’re going to feel the same, no matter what.
“He’s matured a lot over the years. He does everything on his own and that’s a big thing. He shows that initiative.”
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