Before playing in the NHL, van Riemsdyk played 29 games of high school hockey at the Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey. He then played 2 years with New Hampshire Junior Monarchs of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) and 3 years with the New Hampshire Wildcats. He was impressive enough in his sophomore year to be named to the 2012-13 All-Hockey East First Team.