HITMEN DRAFT PROFILE - STOTTS

A change of scenery made a world of difference.
Hitmen forward Riley Stotts wasted little time to elevate his game to new heights after being traded to the Stampede City in a nine-player deal with the Swift Current Broncos in November.
It was a fresh start he needed and one that the 18-year-old seized.
"I tried to help out the team as much as I could in any situation and the guys were great in helping with the transition over," Stotts said. "I just wanted to have fun and play hockey and the Hitmen organization gave me that chance to prove myself.
"I love playing in Calgary and loved coming to the rink everyday knowing that we have the group of guys we have."

After racking up just three points in 21 games with the Broncos, the Winnipeg native was nearly a point-a-game player with the Hitmen, finishing with 17 goals and 41 points in 47 games, ranking him fourth in team scoring with 44 points overall.
While Stotts continued to impress the Hitmen faithful night in and night out, NHL Central Scouting couldn't help but notice the forward as his stock continued to rise as he climbed up from #88 among North American Skaters in the mid-term rankings to #51 in the final rankings.

"It's a huge honour to be on that list with so many great players," he said. "They'll be some nerves when draft day comes, with the NHL Draft you never know what can happen but I'm going to stay motivated and continue to work hard and try to improve each day."
The centreman continued to impress even after the Hitmen season ended, as Stotts was among the 11 WHL skaters invited to the NHL's Scouting Combine from the week of May 28 to of June 2 in Dallas.
During the combine, Stotts kept on impressing scouts with his work ethic and skill as he placed in the Top-25 in six out of the 12 fitness events. The highest he placed was eighth out of the 111 prospects in the Force Plate Squat Jump, setting a mark of 19.71 inches.
"It was overall a great experience being with a lot of top prospects and I just went it and gave it my all and it paid off," he said. "They made it a fun weekend and helped us not feel nervous or overwhelmed and that helped us all stay focused.
"Getting to know all the players and the teams, and having them get to know you better was pretty cool."
Although he still isn't sure if he'll head down to Texas to attend the draft in person, it'll be an anxious two days for Stotts along with his family as they wait and see who calls his name.
"I think my parents might be a little more excited just because I'm the first out of my brothers to make it this far but I'm so excited as well and I can't wait for next weekend."