Rookie Camp: Day 1 Observations

Team Voytechek (Blue) vs Team Chapman (Burgundy)

Victoria Royals Rookie Camp got underway today at the SOFMC, with 8 teams taking the ice.  There were solid hits, some quick hands and few whistles.  Ice times start at 8am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with reassignments occuring throughout the morning and afternoon on Sunday August 26th. 

Some observations:

#33 G Markus Daly

Victoria born netminder Markus Daly with Burgandy (Team Chapman) made some tight saves in close in the game against Blue (Team Voytechek).

#9 F Kyler Magnus '96 made an nice inside out move on a one on one, but failed to score.

Between the pipes for Grey (Team Grant) was #34 Alex Kong '97 who flashed the leather on numerous occasions, while denying Adam Wowryk '96 on Gold (Team Holden) on a breakaway.

For Gold #9 F Chase Bell '97 scored by burying a rebound, #3 D Cody George Verge '97 was physical in front, knocking a man down - he also unleashed a hard low slapper from the point.  #18 F Luc Soares '96 showed some great playmaking abilities with several long tape to tape passes on one shift.  #8 F Keith Anderson '97 can sure move for a big man.

#4 Joe Hicketts & #12 Adam Wowryk in Gold vs Grey warmup

#4 D Joe Hicketts on Gold, the Royals first round pick in 2011 glided smoothly and picked his spots.  He settled down a pass at the point and released a quick, hard slapper, but missed.  Hicketts was admirable in his own end, boxing out forwards and making shifty turns to elude attackers.  He also took down Grey #17 F Kelly Knudtson '96 in front his net.

Grey vs Gold

For Grey #15 F Reid Marshall '96, was dangerous and slippery in the offensive zone.  #16 F Hunter Atchison '96 showed his knowledge of the game by anticipating and intercepting a pass which lead to a goal.

#39 G Blade Roh steadies for a shot in Blue vs Burgandy

#39 G Blade Roh focusses on the play for Blue.

Team Blue celebrates a goal.

Team Grey led by #12 Braden Pearce heads to the ice.

#50 G Michael Herringer watches Blue vs Burgandy from the bench.

Jack Walker signs WHL Contract

The Victoria Royals are proud to announce that the club has signed defenceman Jack Walker to a Western Hockey League Standard Players’ Agreement.

The Edina, Minnesota native is scheduled to compete in the Royals’ Rookie Camp, beginning this morning, and is the brother of Royals’ forward Ben Walker. Walker will compete for Team Campos during Rookie Camp whose first game is set for 1:15 p.m. today.

“We’re extremely excited to have Jack join our organization,” Royals’ General Manager Cameron Hope said. “Having him sign is, in essence, like having two first round draft picks in last year’s Bantam Draft. Jack’s signing coupled with young talent such as Keegan Kanzig, Joe Hickets, Ryan Gagnon and Chaz Reddekopp makes us feel our back end depth is positioned very well for the coming seasons.”

Most recently, Walker was named to Team USA for the 2012 Under-17 Five Nations tournament held earlier this month in Chomutov, Czech Republic. Walker recorded one assist in four games of tournament play to help Team USA earn a gold medal. The 16-year-old was also selected to represent his country at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games hosted in Innsbruck, Austria last January.

The 5-10, 170 lb defenceman arrives in Victoria after spending the 2011-12 season with the Edina High School Hornets of the Minnesota Boys High School hockey league. In his freshman season, Walker posted 14 points (2g-12a) to go along with 22 minutes in penalties through 29 regular season games played. In post-season play, Walker notched two assists over three games played at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Neal's Notes: CHLPA & Draft Camp Wrap

Andy Neal talks about the CHLPA and reaction from Royals Draft Camp:

http://www.victoriaroyals.com/article/draft-camp-wraps-up-chlpa-talk/125619

Out of nowhere comes the Canadian Hockey League Players Association. It’s a players’ association representing major junior players across the WHL, OHL and QMJHL. Former NHL’er Gorges Laraque has been named the first Executive Director for the CHLPA, which he announced on his twitter account of being “proud” to accept the role of. Unfortunately, he missed his first media appearance with the Fan 590 in Toronto. CHLPA Spokesperson Derek Clark told the Montreal Gazette that the focus is on improvements in the area of education. He added that the CHLPA has representatives from all 60 clubs and has been in the works for 14 months.

Jon Keen, the voice of the Kamloops Blazers, forwarded these comments from Blazers’ Owner Tom Gaglardi.


The Victoria Royals Draft Camp ended today and gives way to the rookie camp.  Judging by what a few players have said, the experience has been tremendous, and now they’ll be part of a much, much larger group of players looking to advance to the main camp, which will get underway next Monday. 160 players, divided among eight teams, will be in Victoria for the rookie camp.

What’s interesting coming out of the draft camp is that three players will be a part of the Okanagan Hockey Academy/Pursuit of Excellence bitter rivalry at the midget level. The Royals’ first choice, Tyler Soy, and their fourth selection, Matthew Campese, will play for OHA, the same team 16-year-old defenceman, and Royals’ first 2010 pick, Joe Hicketts played for last season. Chaz Reddekopp, who was the 13th overall pick by Victoria, will suit up for the Pursuit of Excellence team.

“They’re rivals,” said Reddekopp. “We’ll play each other quite a bit.”
“It’s been interesting, beaking each other and teasing one another,” added Soy. “But it should be fun.”

Campese, the son of Prince Albert Raiders' General Manager Bruno Campese, is not going the Saskatchewan Midget AAA route, and his hometown Prince Albert Mintos. He said it was a pretty easy decision to make the commitment to OHA.

“This year, I heard that Tyler was going and that they were going to have a strong team, so it was a no-brainer, “ said Campese.“At OHA, I think I can grow as a player and a person, more. In the Saskatchewan league, I think you can only grow as a player. Just the way they do things at OHA; we’re training every day, practising every day, we’re watching video every day. I think I can mature as a player and person, too.”

Neal's Notes: Bengtsson & Lock Out

Andy Neal talked to Royals GM Cam Hope about which import players may attend camp and what an NHL lockout could mean to junior hockey:

http://victoriaroyals.com/article/draft-camp-underway-top-import-pick-coming-to-camp/125516

Taken from Neal's Notes:

The Royals made two picks in the CHL Import Draft and they know their first choice is coming. Goaltender Patrik Polivka of the Czech Republic has committed to coming to the Royals’ main training camp. The news isn’t quite so good for defenceman Rasmus Bengtsson of Sweden.

Royals’ General Manager Cam Hope says, “Rasmus Bengtsson hasn’t committed yet to come. He played a year with Muskegan in the USHL and he liked his experience there and I think his plan is to return there. Whether or not that’s the best thing for his development is up to him and the Florida Panthers and his agent, and all of us working together. We’d love to have him here, we’ve extended the invitation to him and we’re still hoping he comes. But in the end it’s his decision.”

Bengtsson was selected by the Panthers in the second round of the 2011 NHL Draft. Hope says Bengtsson also has a standing offer to play pro back in Sweden. Although Hope says the 6’2”, 200 pound blue-liner is leaning towards returning to the USHL, the Royals still haven’t given up on bringing him in.

“It’s hard on him, because he’s a young guy and he wants to do the right thing and everybody weighs in on the decision. In the end, he should probably listen to what his pro team, the Florida Panthers, tell him to do. I am not exactly sure what they are telling him, but I hope and I expect that they are encouraging him to come here because of the level of play here.”

But Hope is excited about Polivka’s commitment, since he was the 14th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft in June.

“I have a couple of friends who scout in Europe, one who’s based in Slovakia, and has given me some information about Patrik. I know what it was that attracted our guys to draft him and we’re going to have an interesting battle in goal at training camp because we’ve got some returning guys (Keith Hamilton & Jared Rathjen) that could earn the job too. So it’s going to be interesting.”
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The NHL and its Players Association appear to be headed down another long road in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. It was real interesting talking to Hope about what effect, if any, it has on the Royals and players that had planned on going to their NHL team camps in September.  Hope was emphatic that the two week rookie camp is a huge moment in a players’ development that will not come if a lock-out happens.

“The biggest thing is that certainty in knowing that they will be coming back (to Victoria), but that certainty not only comes from the fact that there might be a lock-out, but it comes from the fact they won’t have a chance to go to those camps and prove that they are NHL ready. Around the NHL, and therefore around the Western League for kids who were drafted out of the WHL who are on that path where they may or may not be ready this year, having the lockout occur where it does, which is September 15 if there is one, takes away that one chance that they’ve got to show that they’re ready. Because they may be on the depth chart of their NHL club as a junior return, right now, and they’ll lose that chance to change the mind of management, scouts and coaches at the NHL level. So that’s too bad, that’s the part that is the most concerning to the development of the players. From the selfish position of a WHL General Manager, that’s fantastic. Unfortunately, that doesn’t give us any certainty right now, because we don’t know if there will be a lockout on the 15th and we probably won’t know until September 15 whether or not the NHL’s going to go ahead with their camps. So we have to plan like it’s business as usual, that they’re all going to go to camp, the assessment is going to be made on whether or not they’ll be junior returns and is something that is out of our hands.”

Hope mentioned that same two week window helped Dan Girardi, a steady defenceman for the New York Rangers. Hope, who was in the Rangers’ front office at the time, said Girardi was an undrafted player who got an invite to the Rangers’ rookie camp and came out of it with a pro contract. If there is a lockout, that could have a big effect around the WHL for teams who may have anticipated their players to have a shot at making the big club.

“I think you probably would need two hands to count the number of players that are drafted out of the Western League that are planning on going to NHL camps this year and could legitimately earn a spot, as of right now.” Hope added.
As for a couple of Royals’ players, they aren’t too concerned about the potential lockout and are ready to go with whatever comes out of the negotiations.

“Basically you’re losing the experience,” said forward Steven Hodges, drafted by Florida this past summer. “I didn’t expect to play there this year, so at the end of the day it’s not a huge upset for me. But I will be playing in Victoria again this year and that’s what I’m focussed on.”

"It would be nice to go back to Ottawa, it’s always a pleasure to go out there for their camps,” said 19-year-old defenceman Jordan Fransoo. “I know there are no rookie tournaments or rookie camps placed, so if there is no lock-out, then it will be just a few days of main camp. But that’s where it’s really all shown, playing with the big boys.”
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Big congrats to the Team Canada, especially the nine WHL players, with a fifth straight gold medal at the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament. Canada defeated Finland 4-0 in the final game on Saturday. The nine WHL players are Eric Comrie (TC), Madison Bowey (Kel), Shea Theodore (Sea), Josh Morrissey (PA), Nic Petan (Por), Morgan Klimchuk (Reg), Sam Reinhart (Koo)and Curtis Lazar (Edm).

Draft Camp

Day 1 of Draft Camp took place Sunday at the Save On Foods Memorial Center for players selected by the Victoria Royals in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.

There was fitness testing along with an on ice session.  It was an educational and learning experience for the players and a chance to get a taste of what to expect next year coming in.

The group included both first round picks F Tyler Soy (8th overall), D Chaz Reddekopp (13th) and local netminder Markus Daly.

1st Round Pick F Tyler Soy at Draft Camp

F Tyler Soy talks about Day 1 of Draft Camp and the experience.
 
Head Coach Dave Lowry gives his thoughts on Draft Camp
 

D Chaz Reddekopp 6'2 188lbs

D Chaz Reddekopp talks about Draft Camp
 

Draft Camp is free to attend and runs Monday & Tuesday with on-ice sessions scheduled for 10 a.m.

Rookie camp begins Wednesday, Main Camp August 26th with the Intersquad game on August 29th. Admission to the Royals’ Intersquad game is by donation at the doors.

The September 15th pre-season game sees the Royals host the Vancouver Giants with puck drop scheduled for 2:05 p.m. at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. All tickets for this pre-season clash will be $5 with partial proceeds from ticket sales donated back to local charities.

PRE SEASON SCHEDULE:

Thursday 30/08/2012 Victoria @ Kamloops 7:00
Friday 31/08/2012 Kamloops vs Victoria 7:05 in Maple Ridge
Friday 07/09/2012 Kelowna vs Victoria 7:05 Maple Ridge
Saturday 08/09/2012 Victoria @ Kelowna 7:05
Friday 14/09/2012 Victoria @ Vancouver 7:30 Ladner
Saturday 15/09/2012 Vancouver @ Victoria 2:05

Hockey Operations Staff Annc.

ROYALS ADD FINAL PIECES TO HOCKEY OPERATIONS STAFF

Assistant coaches and therapist named for 2012-13 season.

For Immediate Release

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals are proud to announce that Assistant Coach Enio Sacilotto (EN-yo SATCH-i-lah-toe), Strength, Conditioning and Skills Coach Jeff Compton and Goaltending Coach Brady Robinson have re-signed with the club for the 2012-13 season. The Royals have also added Assistant Coach Geoff Grimwood and Athletic Therapist Khore Elliott (COR-ee) to the team.

These individuals will join Head Coach Dave Lowry, Assistant Coach Ben Cooper and Equipment Manager Matt Auerbach as part of the hockey operations department.

“We are very pleased to have Enio, Jeff and Brady all returning to the team this season,” Royals’ General Manager Cameron Hope said. “The skills these three possess and the continuity they bring are important to the culture we are trying to create. Dave Lowry and I are both excited to welcome Geoff and Khore to the coaching and training staff respectively. Their additions strengthen our staff and will help us provide top end support for our players.”

ENIO SACILOTTO

Sacilotto, 54, has been a coach in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the last three seasons. This year will be his second season as the team’s top assistant coach and his third year with the Victoria Royals/Chilliwack Bruins franchise.

Before joining the Bruins’ organization in 2010-11, Sacilotto spent one year in Croatia, coaching their national U-20 and U-18 teams.

The Vancouver, BC native has over 30 years of coaching experience including nearly 20 years as a head coach in various professional leagues across Europe including Switzerland, Italy, Denmark and England. Highlights from his time overseas include back-to-back Italian Serie A2 championships with Merano and Courmaosta as well as a gold medal in Swiss National League A with Lugano during the 1998-99 season.

Sacilotto also spent three years in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) as head coach and general manager of the Penticton Vees and was named BCHL Coach of the Year for the 1994-95 season.

JEFF COMPTON

Compton enters his second season with the Royals as the team’s strength, conditioning and skills coach. The 45-year-old also serves as a consultant with Hockey Canada, BC Hockey and Nike SPARQ Training.

Prior to his time with the Royals he spent three seasons with the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL where he was the team’s Strength and Conditioning Coach. He also spent four seasons with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders in a similar capacity.

Compton holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology, and has worked in various capacities with several National Hockey League (NHL) teams including the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals.

BRADY ROBINSON

Robinson is one of the few remaining members of the franchise from the team’s inaugural season in 2006. He is entering his seventh season as the team’s goaltending coach for the Royals/Bruins franchise. The Lower Mainland native has over 13 years of coaching experience, which includes time spent working alongside former Canucks’ goaltending coach Ian Clark developing NHL netminders. Robinson also enjoyed a playing career with the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters and is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge with a Degree in Kinesiology.  

GEOFF GRIMWOOD

Grimwood joins the Royals organization as an assistant coach after spending the last two seasons in the BCHL with the Powell River Kings. As an assistant coach with the Kings, Grimwood helped the team to back-to-back appearances in the Fred Page Cup final. Prior to his time with Powell River, Grimwood split time between the Victoria Cougars and Peninsula Panthers of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). Grimwood is also currently the head coach of the Major Midget League’s South Island Royals.

KHORE ELLIOTT

Elliott is entering his first season as athletic therapist for the Royals. The 32-year-old is a certified athletic therapist with a Degree in Athletic and Exercise Therapy as well as a Diploma in Exercise and Wellness from Camosun College. The Victoria, BC native has professional experience in both a clinical setting along with high end sports teams. He has worked with the Canadian U20 Rugby team, the Victoria Salmon Kings, BCHL’s Cowichan Valley Capitals, the Victoria/Westshore Rebels football club and the BMO Skate Canada National Championships.

Zach Habscheid to USHL

According to http://gdrinnan.blogspot.ca/ D Zach Habscheid will be playing in the USHL next season: 

Zach signs an autograph

"D Zach Habscheid won’t be back with the WHL’s Victoria Royals. Instead, Habscheid, 20, will play for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede. The son of veteran coach Marc Habscheid, Zach played three seasons under his father, two with the Chilliwack Bruins and last season with the Royals. In 139 regular-season games, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Habscheid had 13 points, two of them goals, and 195 penalty minutes. Injuries, including concussions, limited him to 45 games in 2010-11 and 41 games last season."