Part 3 of our Meet Your Freshmen series features another late addition on the defensive side. Riley Sweeney split time during the 2009-10 season between the Willams Lake Timberwolves and the Surrey Eagles but last season he found stability in Surrey and that allowed him to flourish and show his skills. Those skills caught the eye of the Michigan Tech staff and here he is. Riley will put up some points and has the skill to put the puck in the net.
Number: 34
Position: Defenseman
Hometown: Delta, British Columbia
Last Team: Surrey (BCHL)
THG: Why did you decide to come to Michigan Tech? Who else wanted you to play for them?
Riley Sweeney (RS): Unlike other schools that I had talked to, Michigan Tech was a school that gave me the opportunity to play college hockey this year rather than next year. Also, I had heard really good things about Coach Pearson along with his coaching staff.
THG: Which team are you most excited to beat this season?
RS: North Dakota because they knocked Tech out of the playoffs last year. Also Northern Michigan because I have an ex-teammate that goes there and I would like to beat them for that reason.
THG: What are your hockey goals for this season? after Michigan Tech?
RS: I would like to have a winning season with the team this year and play as many minutes as possible. After Michigan Tech I would like to sign a pro contract and continue to play hockey.
THG: Which older Husky player on the team is your mentor?
RS: Right now I don’t have one. It’s too early to tell, but it’s easy to look up to everyone on the team.
THG: What do you think of new head coach, Mel Pearson?
RS: I really like him. He’s someone that is easy to talk to and that’s a very important aspect. He runs really good practices and is very knowledgeable.
THG: What do you think of the new college hockey landscape (formation of Big Ten & NCHC)?
RS: I don’t know a whole lot about it but I think that it could be a good thing. It will change the landscape of all conferences.
THG: What do you bring to the team, where do you feel you’ll contribute the most?
RS: I would like to think that I bring a productive 2 way style as a defenseman. I like to contribute at both ends of the ice.
THG: What aspect of your game do you think needs the most improvement to help improve your game for the college level?
RS: Making sure that I win battles in my own end.
THG: How have you been preparing for the jump from junior hockey to WCHA hockey?
RS: I continued the process of gaining weight and getting stronger.
THG: Who is your biggest influence in hockey?
RS: My PeeWee hockey coach Ken Waterman.
THG: Does the energy and noise level of the crowd affect the way you play?
RS: At home I like it when the crowds into the game and there’s a good atmosphere buzzing. On the road I like a big crowd as well but it doesn’t matter on where the games being played, I just focus on what I need to do.
THG: What is your major at Michigan Tech?
RS: Business Administration
THG: What do you know about Mitch’s Misfits or TechHockeyGuide.com?
RS: I don’t know a whole lot about it, just that it’s a booster club to the team.
THG: Who are you rooming with this year? Tell me something fun about your roommate!
RS: This year I am rooming with Jimmy Davis, David Johnstone and Rudy Pino. We enjoy playing NHL 12 together on Xbox. Jimmy can’t handle a loss very well anymore because I beat him all the time.
THG: Recite your favorite movie quote… and just in case, tell me what movie it’s from.
RS: “I’m gonna miss the heat” “I’m gonna miss the lights” Friday Night Lights.
THG: What road trip are you most looking forward to this season?
RS: The GLI [Hopefully you can help Michigan Tech win the GLI for the first time since Mel was a player]
THG: Tell me about your best hockey moment so far in your career.
RS: Committing to Michigan Tech
THG: What’s your favorite form of precipitation?
RS: Snow [Good answer, considering you chose to commit to Michigan Tech!]
THG: What’s your favorite genre of music?
RS: Country and Hip-Hop [Now that’s an interesting combination]
THG: Finally, what would you like to say to all of the Michigan Tech faithful?
I hope they’re as happy to watch us as I am to be here to play and I would also like to thank them for all of their generous support.
Tim is a 2004 graduate of Michigan Tech. He is a co-founder of both Mitch’s Misfits and Tech Hockey Guide. With recent additions to the staff, Tim is again able to focus on his passion, recruiting. He currently works as an environmental engineer and resides in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Area.
