In the end, local forward Riley Lavallee would make the very same commitment as the NOJHL quarter of Cole Crowder, Kaden Laverdiere, Ethan Novello and Michael Chaffay.

He would just take a slightly different route to finally land with the Sault College Cougars of the ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association).

In the fall of 2021, Lavallee opted to sign on with the Knights of Meaford, one of 27 teams who were part of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League last year, a group that is NOT affiliated with Hockey Canada.

By and large, it is a road less travelled for prospective post-secondary hockey talent. In the case of the 5'10" Blezard Valley native, however, it worked out just fine, pretty much right from the start.

"It was a new school, new town, new everything - but I met my billet family and they were great," stated Lavallee. "The mom is a teacher at the high-school so she really helped me adapt in that way."

"The team itself was a bunch of older guys and they were great," he added. "They helped me fall into junior hockey quite easily."

The numbers were modest as the former member of both "AAA" and "AA" teams within the Nickel City Hockey Association made the jump to the next level of play, Lavallee racking up ten points (4G - 6A) in 22 games.

Committed to moving on, the left wing / centreman knew there was still work to be done.

"I had to improve my speed and my hockey IQ, reading the play quicker," he said. "Playing against 21 year olds as a 17 year old was definitely a big step. The staff really helped me develop that first year."

Swaying his decision to return to Meaford for year two was the fact that his "billet brother", Adam Jiracek from Czechia, had also committed to return. "I could see what team would look like and I thought we could go all the way."

Year two would be filled with further progress: a jump to a 26-point campaign (13G-13A), an "A" on his sweater and another step up in the standings for the Knights, finishing third in the North Division with a record of 26-15-1.

"I had a bigger role on the team this season," said Lavallee. "Off the ice, I stepped up my game - and on the ice as well. This season, I changed my game to become even more physical, more of a grinder, trying to get pucks to the net and really working on the penalty kill."

His was a package that caught the eyes of the Cougars coaching staff.

"I believe I could really help them on the penalty kill, blocking shots right and left and taking a few pucks to the wrong places in Meaford."

His PIMs nearly quadrupled, from 20 to 76 minutes, as he worked hard to be that player who was more than willing to stand up for a teammate. Lavallee would do whatever it took to open some doors and create opportunities.

"I definitely wanted to continue with my education but I also wanted to still play hockey," he explained. "I had a really successful camp (in Sault Ste Marie). From the camp, I knew it was a good fit for me."

With an eye towards a possible career in teaching - Lavallee and Jiracek sadly had to deal with the unexpected passing of their billet mom, Ashley Clock, last winter, a teacher by trade - the local lad is looking to leverage two years at Sault College into further studies at the university level.

"I didn't overthink it the decision to commit," said Lavallee. "I knew that's what I wanted."