WHL Regina Pats

Ginnell's Family Roots Run Deep in Regina

Published on April 19, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release


Regina, Sask. - This week, the Regina Pats will be highlighting the impact that each of their overage players made on the team and community this past season. Monday, we highlighted Luke Bateman. Today, we move over to forward Riley Ginnell, who became the second member of the Ginnell family to play for the Pats.

Ginnell, 20, played in 163 career regular season Western Hockey League contests over a four year career split between the Brandon Wheat Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors and Regina Pats, recording 66 points (31G-35A), including eight points (2G-6A) in 13 career playoff games.

"I enjoyed every single moment of my time in the Western League," Ginnell said. "It's pretty difficult to walk away from it, but you gotta be happy that it happened, not sad that it's over. I think you have to take all the benefits away and reminisce [about] all the good times you had with the guys."

Originally drafted by the Kamloops Blazers in the seventh round (151st overall) of the 2017 WHL Prospects Draft, Ginnell signed with the Blazers before being dealt to Brandon prior to the 2019-20 season. He would play parts of three seasons with Brandon, scoring the overtime winner for the Wheat Kings in game two of the opening round of the 2022 WHL playoffs against the Red Deer Rebels.

"I came into Brandon after being traded from Kamloops not knowing anyone there really," he added. "I went into there with an open mindset and they develop guys well over there so I think they helped my career out. I made a lot of close friends that I will stay close with for my entire life. Everyone in that small community there treats the Wheat Kings well."

The Calgary, Alta. product began his overage season with the Wheat Kings, but was dealt to the Warriors at the 20-year-old deadline due to Brandon having to cut down to three overagers. After 14 games with Moose Jaw, he was traded to Regina on November 21, 2022, ahead of the Pats B.C. road trip, where he would play a pivotal part in helping the Pats to a 5-1 record on their trip. He would finish his final junior campaign with 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points in 52 games this season, with 16 of those points (9G-7A) coming in 36 games with the Pats.

"Being around different teams, you get to meet a lot of guys, some great staff and good people," Ginnell said. "It's nice to see how other organizations run or work compared to being with one team for four or five years and that's all you know."

His ties to Regina and the Western Hockey League run deep as his grandfather Pat Ginnell coached in the WHL from 1968-1986, while his father Erin played for the Pats during the 1986-87 season. Now three generations of Ginnell's have come through the Western Hockey League.

"It's pretty special, he played in that same rink [Brandt Centre], so our basement is full of hockey memorabilia, and there's not an inch on the wall you can put something down there," he explained. "He has a big poster of him in Regina when they used to wear the cooperalls way back then. It was special to continue that legacy and being another generation that has played for the Pats. It's a very royal and special organization. It was great to be apart of it."

Riley was just a year old when his grandfather Pat passed away after a long battle with cancer in November of 2003. Riley's brother Bradley Ginnell played in the WHL from 2016-2021, while his cousin Derek played in the Alberta Junior Hockey League from 2008-2011. His uncle Dan Ginnell has been a scout in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues since 2005, while his father has scouted in the NHL since 2000, most recently serving as an amateur scout with the Las Vegas Golden Knights since 2016.

Riley was never a point producer in the WHL, but was known for his leadership abilities and the little details; standing up for his teammates, finishing his checks, getting the puck out when needed, providing a spark for his team with a big hit or blocking a shot late in the game. He credits his father for these attributes.

"I'd say my dad is a very big help in that," he said. "When we were younger, we were always watching hockey together or being out in the backyard. He's always stressed the little details in your effort. It never mattered how many goals or points you scored, you work your hardest and do the best you could. I would just learn from him, and he was a good player when he played and a really good scout so it's kind of his job to critique things, and know if the player is good enough and what they have to do. He's a big inspiration to me."

Although his time with the Pats was short, the 6-foot-4, 205 lb. winger instantly became a fan favourite on and off the ice. He was an incredibly valuable player for the Pats this season, giving Head Coach and GM John Paddock the flexibility to use him anywhere in the lineup, spending time on the power play and the penalty kill, as well as in late game situations. He was also a force off the ice with the younger players and on the bench, providing leadership to the group heading into the post-season and into the dog days of the regular season.

"I'm a bigger guy and I take a lot of pride in using my size and going into dirty areas," he said. "When you play with special players like Connor [Bedard], Howie [Tanner Howe] or Suzy [Alexander Suzdalev], you usually gotta go to those greasy areas and get them the puck because they'll put it in. I took on that role of a guy who can play anywhere depending on a matchup and chip in offensively as well."

Ginnell was also kind with his time in the community, bringing a smile and positive attitude to various community events throughout the season. He participated in school readings, outdoor hockey league practices and several post-game skates where he would spend time with kids and sign autographs.

He elevated his play in the post-season, too, helping the Pats push the Saskatoon Blades to game seven of the opening round, as he tallied six points (1G-5A) in the series.

"It's your last run at things and we worked so hard as a team and I was so grateful to be in the playoffs because [the Pats] had not made the playoffs for awhile," he said. "I just wanted to do everything I could to take us on a run and see how far we could go. A lot of other guys stepped up as well. Everyone wanted to elevate their game and me having that experience of being there before gave me that edge. I wanted to lead by example a little bit and set the tone."

Looking forward to the offseason, Ginnell says he still has hopes and aspirations of landing a pro contract for the 2023-24 season.

"I'm taking a little bit of time off right now, just resting my body," he explained. "Then I'll get back to work with Crash Conditioning and start training five or six days a week. I'm hoping to get a pro deal and go from there. I'm working towards the goal of progressing my career."

The Pats would like to congratulate Riley on a great WHL career and wish him all the best in the future.

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 19, 2023


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