Third-year forward from Bolton leads the Spirit in points (44), goals (17), assists (27)
Riley Pope’s creed is pretty simple.
“I didn’t have the most skill growing up,” Pope said this week. “But work ethic is something you have full control over. And it’s something not everyone puts 100 percent into.
“ I just try to be the player no one wants to play against, right? Be hard to play against, win my battles, just leave it all out there and try my best.”
The third-year forward from Bolton leads the Stouffville Spirit in points (44), goals (17) and assists (27) this season.
The goals include two while shorthanded and three game-winners.
“I like to be hard on the forecheck because I know what it’s like to be on the other end of that when someone comes in like that; It’s frustrating when you can’t break out,” Pope said. “I like to cause havoc in the other end.”
A student in the arborist program at Humber College, Pope was selected to play in this month’s OJHL vs OUA series of games. He joined Spirit teammates Lachlan Wells and David Paglia on one team of OJHL 20-year-olds that faced the Toronto Metropolitan University varsity team.
First-year players on the Spirit have praised Pope, an assistant captain on the roster, for his guidance and inspiration this season.
“I appreciate that from them,” said Pope, who arrived in Stouffville in the fall of 2022 from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U18 program. “I try to put it all in perspective. Obviously, I was a rookie at one point, too. I try to put myself in their shoes and see what they would want from a vet. Just try and get their confidence up.
“We’ve got a lot of good players on this team. Confidence is key and everyone has to get along. I want to make sure we’re all on the same page.”
Pope had a 15-game point streak halted last Thursday during a 5-2 loss to Haliburton County last Thursday.
“That was good while it lasted,” said Pope, who scored in the next game, a 5-0 win over Wellington Saturday. “I hope to go on another one.”
The Sudbury Wolves, the Spirit’s Ontario Hockey League affiliate, called Pope up for four games, including one in the playoffs, two years ago.
TONIGHT
The Spirit (21-14-0-4) is home to the St. Michael’s Buzzers (21-14-1-3) tonight in another critical game in the jam-packed East Conference of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. The two teams are tied for fifth place in the 12-team conference.
It’s Summitview Public School night with the Spirit.
Three students from the Main Street school will read the starting lineup to the players. The school choir will perform the national anthem. Students are being encouraged to bring donations for the Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank.
SCORES
Stouffville 5, Wellington 0, Jan. 11
Rookie forwards Griffen Boyle and Mason Dermastja scored 11 seconds apart early in the second period at the Stouffville Arena. Julian Demiglio and Riley Pope extended the lead to 4-0 before the second intermission.
Jacob Martineau had the only goal of the third. Kyle Downey recorded his fourth shutout of the season for the Spirit who outshot Wellington 44-21.
Boyle was player of the game.
Haliburton County 5, Stouffville 2, Jan. 9
Martineau gave the Spirit a 1-0 lead after the first period, but four unanswered Haliburton County goals in the second, including two on the power play, were the difference.
Josh Bonnyman, shorthanded just six seconds into the third period, had the other goal for the Spirit, which was outshot 40-23.
SCHEDULE
Jan. 16, St. Michael’s at Stouffville, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 19, Stouffville at King (Nobleton), 7 p.m.
Jan. 23, Mississauga at Stouffville, 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 24, Stouffville at Markham, 7:30 p.m.
Jan 26, Trenton at Stouffville, 2:30 p.m.
All Spirit games are broadcast on 102.9FM whistlefm.ca radio and FloHockey TV.
https://www.flohockey.tv/leagues/10826657-ontario-junior-hockey-league-ojhl (subscription required).
Chris Mayberry and Jason Rehel will have the call tonight. Ken Judge and Joe Moyer will work the pregame and intermissions.
COMMUNITY
Spirit players will read to students during Family Literacy Day at Oscar Peterson Public School on Jan. 24.
ALUMNI
Former Stouffville Spirit defenceman Isaak Phillips was traded to the Winnipeg Jets from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenceman Dmitry Kuzmin Wednesday.
Phillips, 23, has scored a goal in three games with the Blackhawks this season and also has eight points (1G, 7A) and 54 penalty minutes in 28 games for the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs in 2024-25. The Barrie. native has played 56 games over the last four seasons with Chicago and has 12 points (2G, 10A) and 31 PIMs. Phillips, who was an alternate captain for the IceHogs the past two seasons has also played 199 games for Rockford over five seasons and recorded 79 points (23G, 56A) and 214 PIMs.
Phillips was a fifth-round pick (141st overall) by the Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Phillips had 11 points (3 goals/8 assists) in 52 games in the Ontario Junior Hockey League as a 16-year-old with the Spirit in 2017-18.
Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville and Sharon.
