Sunday, August 22, 2010

Express add local product Riley MacIntosh to blueline

Press Release

The British Columbia Hockey League's Coquitlam Express are proud to announce the signing of 20-year old Coquitlam native Riley McIntosh.

McIntosh, who stands at 6’ 5” and weighs in at 205 pounds, is a 4-year veteran Western Hockey League defenseman who is returning to play for his hometown team after suiting up for the Kelowna Rockets and Tri-City Americans.

“When news spread of the team moving back to Coquitlam, I got real excited and right away wanted to come home and play for the team which I grew up watching,” McIntosh said. “I know (Head Coach) Jon Calvano real well as he coached me in spring hockey growing up and when I heard he was hired as the Express coach it made my decision to come home a real easy one.”

Express Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Jon Calvano see the complete package in McIntosh.

“Riley is a kid that we are extremely excited to have. He will provide leadership, character in the dressing room, and he is an exceptional hockey player.”

McIntosh joins his hometown team for his final season of Junior Hockey eligibility much like 2001-02 BCHL graduate Chad Grisdale (Coquitlam) and 2009-10 grad Chris Van Duynhoven (Burnaby) did in their respective seasons.

While in Kelowna, McIntosh played with Defenseman Tyler Myers who now plays for the Buffalo Sabres and was awarded the 2009-10 Calder Trophy as the Rookie of the Year in the National Hockey League. The two still train together in the off-season and are very close friends.

“Coming home to Coquitlam as a 20-year old, we are looking at Riley to be a role-model to our younger players while providing veteran leadership on and off the ice. He will also give the team a big boost on defense,” Express President & General Manager Darcy Rota said.

In four seasons in the WHL, McIntosh posted 1 goal and 16 assists while amassing 137 Penalty Minutes. McIntosh played in 11 playoff games with Tri-City in 2008-09 accumulating 1 assist and 4 penalty minutes.

“I’m really eager to get the season started and to get a fresh start in Coquitlam playing in front of friends and family,” McIntosh said.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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