Posting a technically solid 39 save shutout, rookie goaltender Riley Gill sparked the Victoria Salmon Kings to their first victory of the young 2010-2011 season. His road to Victoria has taken him from Minnesota high school hockey, the far flung Jr A NAHL, plus college and pro hockey in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Two seasons with his hometown Northfield HS Raiders resulted in "all-conference" honours. Riley Gill next found himself in the NAHL with the Texarkana Bandits. As noted in a recent Victoria News article, he said that the players found that they had to break down the rink boards and glass to allow other events, e.g. rodeo, etc to take place then they would have to reassemble the rink. In 2005-06 he made the NAHL 2nd All-Star Team plus was named his teams MVP. Then Gill achieved something special with a scholarship to Kalamazoo based Western Michigan, becoming the first Northfield player to gain a Division One US college hockey scholarship. In his freshman season of 2006-07 he lead the CCHA with four shutouts, was named game star five times, plus he made the CCHA All-Rookie Team. Two seasons later he became the first ever WMU goalie to post back to back shutouts. In the playoffs, he posted a 54 save overtime victory over Lake Superior State. In his senior season of 2009-10, he started 30 games and secured his spot for all-time status at WMU finishing with career firsts in save percentage (91.5), shutouts (8) and second for goals against average (2.94). After a superb effort in a Feb, 2010 series versus Notre Dame, Riley Gill told the Kalamazoo Gazette that, as a goalie, "you want to get them to second guess themselves" and "that he had been better at seeing traffic and had that extra little confidence." In the same article, WMU head coach Jim Culhane stated that "Gill evoked the name of Broncos legend and 14 year NHL stalwart Glen Healy" and added that "Gill was just as impressive on video as he looked live...he was special all week." To cement a successful college career, Riley Gill found his name placed on the ballot for a chance to participate in the Frozen Four Skills Challenge.

A BRIEF INTERLUDE--- On Sept 7, 1976, Northfield, Minnesota became part of American folklore when the Jesse James gang "raided" the town to rob a local bank. Each fall, this event is remembered with an annual outdoor festival whose name commemorates the stalwart defensive efforts of local townspeople who caused the raid to be less than successful. The festival is called The Defeat of Jesse James.

TO THE PROS...March 16, 2010 -Riley Gill changed dressing rooms in Kalamazoo when he signed with the local ECHL Kalamazoo K-Wings. He played three regular season games, one of which was his first professional victory. Four playoff games followed, one a 52 save game in a close fought 3-2 overtime loss. One of the saves was made when Gill stopped a shot by former Salmon King Olivier Labelle. In Late October 2010, he was contacted by the Victoria Salmon Kings to join their training camp. In his first start, a road game in Boise, Idaho, he posted a 39 save shutout and was named the game's First Star. This allowed the Salmon Kings to gain a split in their opening road series. This was followed by a 32 save 3-1 victory in Las Vegas and another game star selection. His most recent outing was a 24 save 6-3 home victory over the Ontario Reign. With the history of successful goalies who have played minor professional or junior hockey in Victoria, it will be interesting for Salmon Kings fans to track the career of the first Minnesotan to play goal in the British Columbia cap.

PARADES AND MORE....Monday, November 8th, our monthly meeting will take place at 6:30 pm at Montana's at the Tillicum Mall. The annual Santa Clause parade is on November 27th. Help in decorating the truck and along our part of the parade route is very much appreciated.

TABLE ITEMS---be sure to stop by one of tables, either on the concourse or behind the club seats, and ask about our events, how to join us, track the Goals That Give board, have a look at our scrapbook, buy an autographed puck and if you have children, we have a colouring station plus they can write a letter to Marty or to their favourite Salmon King player.