Sheldon Rioux played 71 regular-season games the past two years with the NAHL’s Colorado Grit and made an impact, both on and off the ice.

Two seasons from now, the Val-d’Or, QC, native and Colorado Thunderbirds graduate will start his NCAA Division I career in the Ivy League after recently committing to Brown.

“Brown reached to me and spoke with me first at the NAHL Top Prospects event where I was representing the NAHL Selects team,” said Rioux, who now calls Aurora home after moving there in July 2022. “We spoke briefly throughout the weeks following but they mostly dealt with my advisor Dennis Maxwell. Then a couple weeks later, I got the call that they were offering me and it was a no brainer.

“Brown is a prestigious university with great academics and athletics, and I couldn’t be more proud to become a Bear.”

Rioux said he is planning to enter Brown starting with the 2027-28 season.

“What appealed to me was Brown’s hot season last year,” Rioux said. “They were one win away from the tournament this year and teams in their division (ECAC Hockey) such as Cornell beat teams like Michigan State. So in my opinion, Brown is right where they want to be in a good and tough division with great talent and competition.

“Obviously on the academic side, it was always my dream to go to an Ivy League school. My parents always pushed me to get straight As throughout my academic career and it paid off. Brown is known for their academics and whatever I decide to study I’m going to come out of the university with an amazing and prestigious degree.”

With the Grit, Rioux said playing in Greeley “made me grow as a person and a player.”

“Especially being in the South Division, you don’t have a lot of time out there, so being able to think quick and make faster plays helped me feel comfortable in my own game,” he said.

The Grit now eliminated from the NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs, Rioux has his offseason plan in full swing.

“Work, work, work,” said Rioux. “This summer is about training and getting stronger and faster. Wherever I go next year, I want to be at my best.”

Photo/Kristi Lourance

— Matt Mackinder

(April 21, 2025)