Riley Hughes readies for next step with BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies

Riley Hughes at New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Riley Hughes is hoping the path less traveled will help him continue to pave the way toward a roster spot on one of the top programs in Hockey East and maybe a chance to someday play professional hockey at the highest level.

Hughes, a Westwood, Mass., native, is leaving St. Sebastian’s ahead of his senior season to play for the Victoria Grizzlies in the BCHL. It’s not that players from New England haven’t gone to Canada to play junior hockey before or that players from the BCHL can’t succeed at the next level. However, it’s not often a player from around here will head to the BCHL before finishing prep school.

It was a decision that Hughes wrestled with for a long time. The Northeastern commit and seventh-round pick of the New York Rangers had to weigh the pros and the cons of staying at St. Sebastian’s vs. going to the BCHL to play in the top Junior A league in Canada.