Dylan Schives Continues To Overcome The Odds

It was a “different” year in many regards for the hockey world, including Quebec Remparts defenceman Dylan Schives.

“Different,” said Schives about his second season in the QMJHL. “Throughout the year I had many “obstacles”, with a few injuries, the passing of a close friend, now COVID-19. Along with that attending Acadia University online classes for the first year. So although it was my second year I kind of had to adapt to new things and go through harder times this year.”

Those challenges included a concussion, and other injury problems.

“I missed a few games due to injury, I had a concussion, groined and back problems. What I focused on the most was my exercises and workouts. It was easy for me, my trainers would give me exercises and workouts and I would work at them, pretty much every day doing them. The goal was always to come back as soon as possible.”

Despite these challenges, Schives had a successful season both on an off the ice. He was honoured with the Quebec Remparts’ Marius-Fortier Trophy, as the player most involved in the community and was also the Remparts’ nominee for the QMJHL’s Humanitarian of the Year. That along with 8 points in 45 games equalled a successful season for the Tilbury product, and Chatham Maroons alumni.

The season however, came to an end too soon for Schives and his Quebec Remparts, who had clinched one of the QMJHL’s playoff spots…a playoff that would never happen.

“Disbelief,” said Schives of seeing the season end prematurely due to COVID-19. “At the end of the season we started gaining a lot of momentum and I thought our playoffs were going be fun. We beat Moncton’s 16 game winning streak and we were playing some great hockey. And I was looking forward to the playoffs because last year I missed the playoffs because of my hand. I was hoping this would be my year to finally play a playoff game in the QMJHL.”

Although that didn’t happen, there is no quit in Schives, who is now utilizing the downtime provided by these unique world circumstances to prepare for next season, which will be his third in the QMJHL.

“I need to take this time to rest a little bit,” said Schives. “I find my body really needs it with all the injuries that happens, once I’m ready I will continue working out and work on the muscles I had issues with the past season.”

Heading into his third Major Junior season Schives knows there is still untapped potential in his game. He has been a player who has overcome the odds on many occasions. After not being drafted by an OHL team, to stealing an underage spot with the Chatham Maroons, and then cracking the Remparts roster as a camp invitee. One of his biggest focuses moving forward for the overachiever will be adding a measure of consistency to his on ice performance.

“The biggest thing I find is consistency, to play a top 4 spot the team needs to rely on a guy that can consistently do the job. Cannot have any nights off, that’s the biggest thing I find.

Schives has always outperformed expectations, and if that remains true, the Quebec Remparts can expect big things from the defender next season.