Riley Piercey (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Forward
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, May 2020: Riley is a big strong kid who’s still getting used to his body. Everyone says it and it’s true, big kids take longer and with Riley I think you’re going to be drafting a player who is just beginning to understand who he is. He had a slow start to his OHL career in Barrie, but he really started to play well once he got to Flint. Who knows, maybe he was putting pressure on himself to perform right away because he was a first rounder, but he really started to look comfortable in his skin Flint. He was wining battles and going to the dirty areas with the expectation to score goals or create havoc. I like how he plays and I think he can be a very good pro. He’s good on the walls both offensively and defensively. He understands what his job is on breakouts, and like Paul O’Hagan (Neutral Zone Ontario Scout) has said, he is reliable in his end and he can be a monster on the cycle. Riley’s a kid who probably goes in the fifth or sixth round but has a chance to be an NHLer after physically maturing a bit more. I like his game and he’s a project, but he has the skill set to be competing for an NHL roster spot in a few years.
Flint Firebirds 2020 NHL Draft Prospects, February 2020: Piercey was traded from the Barrie Colts to Flint and has been very effective in the new uniform. He had 13 points in 35 games with Barrie prior to the trade and since the trade has already surpassed his totals in Barrie in just 15 games – with 16 points. The lanky winger who skates well and has a decent scoring touch around the net is benefiting from the change of scenery. Piercey has been effective with Flint in his cycle game and ability to get into good scoring lanes. He scored a goal scorers goal to tie the game late in the second. He showed good net presence and reach in close to tip the puck an out of position goaltender. He plays a reliable two way game and is responsible on the boards in transition. Piercey was most effective today in the cycle game where his size, length, and high IQ allowed him to give and go with his line mates for extended periods. His line worked well together and generated a number of good quality offensive shifts. Piercey was a played a key role with his work in the corners and along the boards to create turnovers. Game Grade: B-
OHL – Single Game Evaluation, October 2019: Barrie at Hamilton, Riley is a former 2018 first round OHL draft choice of the Colts, Riley had an average rookie year scoring 3 goals and 14 points. In only 8 games this year he is playing with much more confidence and assertiveness which has already resulted in 3 goals. He has power forward written all over him and while not yet explosive he appears to be an athletic kid with good top end speed once he gets in motion. At this level Riley is a force. And with his combination of size and strength he more than just knocks opponents off of the puck. He is a bull and when he decides he’s going to the net, he’s going to the net. He scored off of a slot shot that was originally saved, but he fought past the defenders to get his own rebound and bury it. He is still learning the game away from the puck, but when his team is in the offensive zone cycling the puck Riley is a beast who we feel is going to garner NHL Team’s attention. Game Grade B+
OHL Gold Cup, May 2018: The big lanky power forward showed some good net presence and skill this weekend. While Piercy was snake bitten this weekend and didn’t produce offensively he had a number of quality chances in all games we viewed. As with viewings in the winter Piercy’s all around 200 foot game and his relentless forecheck was excellent and very difficult to contain.
USHL Phase I Draft, May 2018: Riley was removed from the USHL list after the OHL Draft. He had a 4.5 Star Neutral Zone amateur rating.
NTDP & USHL Futures Draft Top 115 American, March 2018: Riley was the 28th ranked forward and had a 4.25 Star Neutral Zone amateur rating.
Marlies Holiday Classic, February 2018: Riley continued to play a strong, power forward game. He is big, strong on pucks and able to play a key role on a dominant line. Piercey uses his body well, is fierce in the corners, and not afraid to go to the tough areas of the ice with big defenders. He had a number of chances this weekend and buried a few. More offensive finish is something that will take this player to the next level in the rest of the season.
Mid Term NTDP Bound Rankings, December 2017: Riley was a top 50 prospect for the NTDP.
OHL Draft December Rankings, GTHL: Riley was the 4th highest ranked winger and a 4.25 star Neutral Zone rating.
GTHL 2017 Prospects All-Star Game, December 2017: Another big, strong winger with skill, size, speed and compete. Riley and his linemates (Peters and Halliday) were the top offensive line in the game. Piercey, with his multi-goal game, was voted the top player on Team White. Along with his offensive finish , we loved his forecheck, compete, and 200-foot game. Piercey’s combination of speed, size and skill offered him the ability to get to the right area offensively. His great slot shot allowed him to capitalize twice by beating goaltenders high.
OHL Draft October Rankings, GTHL: Riley had a Neutral Zone star rating of 4.25 and was ranked #16.
Toronto Titans Showcase, November 2017: Piercey was good here, but he’s been even better in other games. He’s a bit raw but he has a great frame at 6-foot-3. He skates well and competes hard for loose pucks. He can lower his shoulder and overpower his opponents with brute strength and grit or can make subtle stick moves and beat opponents 1v1. He’s tough to contain along the boards, shielding the puck and driving the net. He is light on his feet and has soft hands, which s rare for his build. He would benefit from playing a more consistent and physical game. He sometimes hesitates in areas where he needs to make quick decision. Once he gains more confidence and plays more aggressive, he’ll be a coveted OHL draft pick.
Wendy Dufton, October 2017: Riley is another Marlie; big strong winger with skill, size, speed and compete. Riley and many of his Marlie forwards simply overpowered the opposition and out skilled them if needed. In London Piercey played the same way as previous viewings – consistently strong on pucks and able to make plays offensively. Played a strong 200 foot game.