There have been no guarantees for Riley McKay.
Ever since he was a young kid growing up in Swan River, he's had his work boots on. Whether on the farm or at the rink, Riley is extremely driven and has let his work ethic do the talking. 12 years ago, he had 52 points in 32 regular-season games with the Parkland U15 Rangers. He then had 12 points in four playoff games. He had the great opportunity to play with his hometown Swan Valley Stampeders during the 2015-16 season, adding 34 points and 151 penalty minutes.
From there, McKay earned the right to play in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He played two years with the Spokane Chiefs before coming closer to home. His junior career ended after four years in the league, the final two with the Saskatoon Blades.
Upon the completion of his WHL career, Riley wasn't sure what was next. He had mentally prepared, knowing his competitive days could have come to an end. All while continuing to put everything he had into the game. He never settled and always knew there was room for improvement.
"I kind of thought that would be it for me, after my time in Saskatoon," said McKay. "Rockford gave me an opportunity in the American Hockey League. I had to work my way up from the ECHL, and I did that. I continue to improve, which is great to see. I'll run with that and see how long I can play for."
Riley played 12 games with Rockford in the 2020-21 season and five with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL. He played 51 games with them the following season and four more with Rockford. The 2022-23 season saw the Swan River star play with three teams, two with Indy, 23 with the Laval Rocket of the AHL, and 25 with the Trois-Rivières Lions of the ECHL.
Riley was pleased with his opportunities. He, however, wasn't satisfied. He believed there was more in the tank. He never stopped grinding. His summers were spent in the gym and on the farm. McKay was familiar with Laval, so when he started the 2023-24 season there, it was a seamless fit. McKay drew into the lineup 46 times, scoring four times, adding six assists.
After that season, McKay's time in Laval expired. His professional career did not. He signed a one-year contract with the Henderson Silver Knights, the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights. The contract achieved a major milestone for Riley. He had never played two straight seasons in the AHL. Now, he has. McKay had 10 points in 45 games this year. He was 22nd in team scoring and finished with the most penalty minutes (147). Henderson missed the playoffs. While that was a tough blow, McKay took the next step in his hockey career.
"I thought I had a really good year. It's all about playing your role and doing your job, and I believe I did that," offered McKay. "I got some opportunity to play throughout the lineup at the end of the year with some really good players. I thought I played well, took a step, and continued to improve."
While he is the main reason he's flourishing, Riley knows he wouldn't be where he is without support. From his coaches to trainers to teammates, McKay is grateful for everyone who has been a part of his journey.
"A lot of it, too, is confidence. I realized this past year that I can play in this league," continued McKay. "I know I can help the team out, I really built my confidence. I'm looking forward to next year."
Riley will become a free agent on July 1 and is already in talks about a new contract. After his time in Henderson, Riley was back in his old stomping ground earlier this month for the Fred Sasakamoose "Chief Thunderstick" national hockey championship. The event is played in Saskatoon, where McKay spent two years.
McKay played for the Cross Lake Islanders. Game one saw him get two assists in a 7-0 win against the Sandy Bay Flying Feathermen. They beat the Red Pheasant Rebels in their next game, 4-2, to finish on top of their pool with two wins, 11 goals, and just two against. For those who play or follow the tournament, if you're going to go on a title run on Sunday, get ready for a long day.
The Islanders were ready. They beat the Gordon's Golden Hawks in their first playoff game on Sunday morning, then downed the Beardy's Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon. They were halfway there. Two more wins and McKay would be a national champion.
They beat the Canoe Lake Young Guns in the national semifinal in their third game of the day. At this point, Riley and the crew were tired. Next up was the Peguis Mohawks, and a national title was on the line. The Mohawks overachieved throughout the tournament and were led by Swan River star Josh Tripp.
The Islanders didn't only feature McKay, they also had Tristin Langan. Langan recently ended his second year with the Stavanger Oilers in Norway. He's also played in the ECHL and AHL during his professional journey.
It was Riley and Tristin against Tripp. Not only was there a national title on the line, but there were some serious hometown bragging rights up for grabs. In the end, Riley and Tristin fueled Cross Lake to a national title. They completed a perfect week, winning all six of their games. McKay has played in this event for more than half a decade, and he's now a national champion.
"It felt great. To be able to play with my best friend Tristin was special," ended McKay. "We don't get to play together often, so that was a ton of fun. We had a great weekend. It was awesome to see us three Swan River boys in the final."
There may never have been guarantees for Riley McKay — only grit, growth, and a grind that just keeps going.
