Life of Riley

Riley Sampson had himself a game in Friday nights season opener for the Moncton Wildcats.

2023-2024 wasn’t the greatest for the speedy, gritty two-way forward.

Sampson was the odd man out on way too many occasions a season ago for the Wildcats.

That’s last year and it’s never good to talk about the past, but in this case you have to because it reveals so much about the player.

You see Riley Sampson is a character kid, a heart and soul player that would do just about anything and everything for team success. That’s why Friday’s performance was so meaningful to see.

Some people might say “oh there’s a kid who has paid his dues.” What they may not realize was the toll all of the adversity had on the player.

It’s incredibly difficult to be the odd man out, and let’s just say, communication wasn’t necessarily top priority or part of the equation a season ago from a coaching perspective for the Wildcats.

It's great seeing a player finally be given a chance, regaining their confidence and contributing after being shafted or healthy scratched, Those players become galvanized character players in spite of all the poor treatment, Value is value they just need a chance to show theirs pic.twitter.com/YkNYZZCxKU

— Craig Eagles (@Eags37) March 1, 2024

The adversity and resiliency that many believe to be the be all end all of the developmental process surrounding the game causes the complete opposite effect in many players who experience that even at the junior level and beyond.

When Sampson was in the lineup a season ago he was moved around so much and not given a legitimate chance to prove his true value and worth.

That scenario gets even more murky when there’s mixed messages or head games involved.

There are some people around the game today that believe a solid dose of adversity is required at every level to build resiliency and that it’s a must that every player experience that “adversity” in order to make it and excel at the next level. They believe adversity is a right of passage that every player must experience.

Friday night wasn’t a breakout performance, it wasn’t a surprise to see Riley Sampson play a highly effective two-way game. It’s just another perfect example of a player that was dealt a shit hand last year finding his way not because of the adversity of last season, but because of who he’s always been, a solid two-way gritty speedster with tremendous character and persistence.

An opportunity is all some players ever need to prove their true value.

One might say “it’s only one game” for Riley Sampson it’s been a year in the making and he’s finally getting a chance to showcase what he can really do.