Riley Langille, a member of the Campbell River Storm, has been selected to join the Australian National Junior Team in Division 2B of the U20 World Championship, which is scheduled to take place in Belgrade from January 14 to 20. This will be Langille’s third opportunity to represent Australia in international hockey tournaments.
Langille, an 18-year-old native of Perth who will turn 19 on December 27, joined the Campbell River Storm in the 2022-23 season after playing for the Ice Hockey Western Australia Premier League (IHWA Premier) with Perth Sharks and the West Coast Flyers in the previous season. Despite being born in Australia, Langille holds Canadian citizenship due to his parents’ nationality, which allows him to participate in a sanctioned junior league in Canada.
Kyle Evans, head coach and general manager of the Campbell River Storm, expressed his pride in Langille’s selection for the Australian U20 team. Evans praised Langille for his skills and leadership qualities, noting the positive impact he has had on the team both on and off the ice. Langille’s previous performance in international tournaments, including his contributions to Australia’s success in the 2022 World Championship Division 3 tournament, demonstrate his potential as an offensive catalyst for the Australian squad.
In addition to his responsibilities with the Campbell River Storm, Langille also competes in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) with the Perth Thunder, showcasing his dedication to the sport and his ability to excel at a semi-professional level.
Langille’s success has brought recognition to the Campbell River Storm in Australia, with Evans highlighting the potential of Australia as a recruitment pipeline for eligible players in the future. He emphasized the rarity of the Storm sending players to represent their nation and expressed hope that Langille’s achievements would inspire others to pursue their hockey aspirations through the program.
Australia’s participation in the U20 World Championships presents a unique opportunity for international exposure in a country where hockey remains a niche sport. However, due to limited funding from the Australian government, Langille and his teammates have launched a fundraising campaign to cover the costs of their trip to Serbia. Fans of the Campbell River Storm and hockey enthusiasts interested in supporting Langille and the Australian U20 team can contribute to the fundraising campaign through the official website.
As Langille prepares to embark on this exciting journey to represent Australia on the global stage, his selection serves as a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport of hockey.