Dave Lowry Named Head Coach

ROYALS ANNOUNCE DAVE LOWRY AS HEAD COACH

NHL veteran and former WHL head coach hired by Victoria!  

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals are proud to announce that Dave Lowry has been named the second head coach in the team’s history and third in the franchise’s history.

Lowry has spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach with the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). Lowry worked under Brent Sutter during his tenure with the Flames, and helped guide the team to a 118-90-38 record over that span.

"We are very excited to have Dave join our team,” Royals owner Graham Lee said. “Our goal for the Royals organization is to create an environment for players to succeed. Dave brings experience and a winning track record at the WHL level that will help us achieve our goal."

Previous to his time with the Flames, the 47-year-old was the head coach of the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Calgary Hitmen during the 2008-09 season. Behind the bench for the Hitmen, Lowry led the team to a WHL-best 122 points with a 59-9-3-1 regular season record. The team won the Eastern Conference Championship that season before bowing out in six games versus the Kelowna Rockets in the Ed Chynoweth Cup finals. During the 2009 playoffs Lowry’s Hitmen earned a 14-4 record.

“There were many accomplished and qualified candidates for this position,” Royals’ General Manager Cam Hope said, “but Dave was our clear choice after our first meeting. His experience coupled with our similar philosophies on both the management and structure of a hockey team secured my decision he was the right person for the position.”

The Sudbury, ON native began his coaching career under head coach Kelly Kisio with the Hitmen during the 2005-06 season.  For the 2007-08 season Lowry was promoted to Associate Coach. The following year he would take the reigns as the team’s head coach.  In total, the Hitmen compiled a record of 133-63-7-12 during the three seasons Lowry was an assistant and associate coach. Also during that time in Calgary qualified for the WHL Playoffs earning a trip to the second round each season while compiling a 24-23 record.

“The prospect of returning to the WHL in Victoria was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Lowry said. “This organization is committed to doing things properly, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with both Graham and Cam and continuing the development of the franchise to the highest levels. This team has a collection of talented players returning and I am eager to start the season.”

Lowry enjoyed a 19-year playing career that began when he was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 6^th round (110^th overall) of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. For his career, Lowry played for five NHL teams (Vancouver, St. Louis, Florida, San Jose and Calgary) amassing 1084 games and recording 351 points (164g-187a). He captained the Calgary Flames during the 2001-02 season.

Lowry also played in 111 Stanley Cup playoff games notching 36 points (16g-20a). As a member of the 1995-96 Florida Panthers, Lowry led the team in post-season scoring with 17 points (10g-7a) and guided the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final. He was also a member of the 2003-04 Calgary Flames that also made it to Stanley Cup Finals.

The Royals will kick off their 2012-13 home schedule on September 22nd when they will host the Vancouver Giants at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Season tickets and mini-packs are now on sale. Guarantee yourself the best seats by visiting www.victoriaroyals.com, calling 250-220-7889, or emailing vrtickets@victoriaroyals.com before it’s too late!

Tyler Soy and Regan Nagy Allstate All-Canadians Camp

Press Release:

ROYALS’ DRAFT PICKS HEAD TO ALLSTATE ALL-CANADIANS MENTORSHIP CAMP

Victoria’s Tyler Soy and Regan Nagy among 42 Canadians selected for five-day camp.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals would like to congratulate 2012 WHL Bantam Draft picks Tyler Soy and Regan Nagy on their invitations to the 2012 Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp in Mississauga, ON.

Soy, a native of Surrey, BC, was selected by the Royals in the first round with the eighth overall pick of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. During the 2011-12 season, the 5-11, 155 lb forward captained the Cloverdale Colts Bantam A1-T1 team, amassing 65 points (24g-41a) in just 20 games. Throughout all competitions during the 2011-12 season, the 15-year-old collected 159 points (53g-106a) and a +121 rating in 46 games played.

The 5-11, 148 lb Nagy was chosen by Victoria in the second round, 27^th overall during the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. The Ogema, SK resident played for the Weyburn Energy Wings Bantam AA team where he scored 46 points (30g-16a) to go along with 77 penalty minutes over 23 games played. The 15-year-old forward also suited up in four games for the Moose Jaw Generals Midget AAA team.

The Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp brings together 42 of the top bantam-aged players from across Canada to participate in a five-day camp under the leadership of National Hockey League (NHL) veteran Gary Roberts. The camp opens on Tuesday, July 17^th and will conclude on Saturday, July 21^st with the Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Cup inter-squad game which will be aired on TSN at 10:00 a.m. pacific time.

U-16 Camp Roster

The U-16 tournament camp rosters includes players who's rights belong to the Victoria Royals.

Taken from:
http://jeffhollick.blogspot.ca/2012/07/alberta-bc-u-16.html

Alberta & BC U-16

The U-16 tournament takes place in November and here are the BC and Alberta Summer camp rosters and who owns their WHL rights.

BC

Goalie
Taz Burman Red Deer
Kyle Cheema
Markus Daly Victoria
Bailey DePalma
Bo Didur
Jordan Reynolds

Defense
Callahan Brebner
Tanner Browne Brandon
Tyler Fraser Tri City
Kyle Hofmann
Noah Juulsen Everett
Brandon Kennedy Lethbridge
Tristan Pagura Kelowna
Chaz Reddekopp Victoria
Mitchell Stapley Vancouver
Jordan Wharrie Everett
Cole Williams Saskatoon
Alex Winters Red Deer

Forwards
Cal Babych Calgary
Patrick Bajkov Everett
Addison Bazian
Matthew Bradley Medicine Hat
Nick Chyzowski Kamloops
Jake Fletcher Medicine Hat
Haydn Hopkins Saskatoon
Jordan Kawaguchi Spokane
Cole Plotnikoff Lethbridge
Jesse Roach Vancouver
Chris Seto Kelowna
Deven Sideroff
Tristan Simm
Owen Stout Portland
Jakob Stukel Vancouver
Justin Szeto Medicine Hat
Marcus Vela
Ryan Wilkinson Portland

Alberta

Goalie
Zachary Klassen
Patrick Dea Edmonton
Carson Franks Calgary
Nicholas Schneider
Brandon Kegler
Jake Morrissey Kelowna
Xavier Burghardt
Riley Morris Medicine Hat

Defense
Jordan Boulton Prince Albert
Bradley Forrest Medicine Hat
Jesse Freeborn
Kade Jensen Lethbridge
Dylan Overdyk Kootenay
Salvatore Scalise
Gordon Ballhorn
Carson Beers
Mitchell Brennan Kamloops
Justin Greer Portland
Oilver Lester Victoria
Austin Strand Red Deer
Kole Bryks Vancouver
Brendan Kallis Regina
Cole Kapak
Aaron Kellogg Brandon
Maxime Lajoie Swift Current
Cameron Reagan
Devon Brooks Victoria
Tyson Helgesen Spokane
Mark Matsuba Brandon
Zachary Smith Kootenay
Quinn Sobus Saskatoon
Tristan Thompson

Forwards
Shane Allan Kootenay
Cameron Anklewich
Reid Bosse
Ty Comrie Tri City
Nicolas Correale
Matteo Gennaro Prince Albert
Connor Lukan Brandon
Mason Mccarty Red Deer
Andrew Perry
Tristan Starzynski Edmonton
Troy Van Tetering
Jesse Zaharichuk
River Beattie Kootenay
Kolton Doram
Matt Dykstra Victoria
Quinn Greenly
Josh Hayward Lethbridge
Jared Mcammond Regina
Grayson Pawlenchuk Red Deer
Curtis Peck
Tyler Rohl Lethbridge
Braylon Shmyr Brandon
Parker Ward
Justin Young Medicine Hat
Brayden Burke Red Deer
Brayden Brown
Matt Fonteyne Everett
Rob Fulton Regina
Mitch Hallas
Nolan Krewusik
Ethan Lazaro Moose Jaw
Curtis Miske Spokane
Scott Pungor
Ryan Stronski
Eric Theander
Austin Wagner Regina
Zac Whitby Moose Jaw
Danton Davis
Kelton Driedger
Hudson Elynuik Kootenay
Cole Gammer Tri City
Charlie Gawlicki Kamloops
Chandler Klein
Andrew Koep Edmonton
Andrew Marshall
Joshua Perrott
Mark Rassell
Dylan Stewart Prince Albert
Jordan Xavier Medicine Hat

Royals New Bus!

Victoria Royals to travel in style with customized bus

Taylor Crunk, left, and Luke Harrison face off in front of the Victoria Royals' new bus 

By Cleve Dheensaw, Times Colonist July 8, 2012

Whoever thought a team hockey bus might be a candidate for the MTV reality show Pimp My Ride?
But the Victoria Royals newly-delivered bus — which sleeps 30 and comes complete with fridge/ freezer, two flatscreen TVs, MP3 plug-ins and Blu-ray disc player — might just qualify.

The cost of the bus is estimated at $650,000, but the team would not confirm price.

“It cost more than $500,000,” is all Royals president Dave Dakers would allow.

Anyway you cut it, it's a long way from those dent-marked, beat-up Bull Durham- and Slap Shot-era sports team buses of yore.

Dakers first got the idea during pro ECHL Victoria Salmon Kings days when he saw similar buses used by the Las Vegas Wranglers and Phoenix Roadrunners.

The bus will begin transporting the Western Hockey League's Royals beginning this coming season.
A used bus was gutted and interior of the shell retrofitted. Just getting it to Victoria from its retro-fit assembly site in Hueytown, Alabama, was a six-day cross-continental adventure. Wilson’s Transportation, which will provide the drivers and maintenance for the bus, flew maintenance-manager Jim Morrison down to Alabama. Morrison drove the bus back to Victoria.

But despite the 30 bunk beds, Morrison was able to sleep only one night in the bus because of the extreme high temperatures being experienced across the United States. It was so hot at night that the bus air conditioning couldn't keep up.

Because all the bus is taken up with living space — including restaurant-style leather banquette seating — it comes with a 20-foot trailer hooked behind that will carry the hockey equipment. The whole unit, bus and trailer, is 65 feet long.

“It’s a B.C. Ferries dream,” quipped John Wilson, owner of Wilson’s Transport.
But it will allow the Royals to arrive from away games at anytime overnight at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and simply park the bus and await the 7 a.m. sailing while the players sleep in relative comfort.

Getting the high school-aged players to class first thing in the morning was a main consideration, said Dakers, not hotel room savings.

“With some of our transportation issues, this makes a lot of sense,” he said.

“This give us flexibility in travel and to arrive for road games as rested as possible. Coming home, the players will miss less days of school.”

It is believed to be the best bus in the WHL.

PRESS RELEASE:

ROYALS UNVEIL TEAM BUS

Victoria will travel in comfort next season with arrival of fully-modified coach.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals are proud to announce the arrival of the team's bus and trailer in preparation for the 2012-13 Western Hockey League season.

Purchased by RG Properties Ltd. (parent company to the Royals), the Prevost coach recently completed a six-day, 4434 kilometer journey to Victoria from Hueytown, Alabama, where it was being customized for the team by Vulcan Coach Corporation. Wrapped in Royals team colours and logos and measuring 45 feet long, the bus also tows a 20 foot trailer to be used for team equipment. The coach sleeps 30 passengers and will decrease total travel time for the team next season.

“With the travelling challenge of being on the island,” Royals’ owner Graham Lee said, “we felt the purchase of this bus was an investment in the health of our players as they will be able to maximize their rest, and it will also shorten the time spent on the road. We believe these factors will also play a role in promoting the success of the players in the classroom and on the ice. This is another step towards our goal of being a flagship franchise in the Western Hockey League.”

The bus seats up to 36 passengers in leather couches and comes complete with flat-screen televisions throughout, fridge and freezer, microwave, mobile internet, dual-zone climate control and a dedicated rear lounge. Wilson's Transportation of Victoria will provide maintenance and drivers for the coach, which will embark on its first road trip August 30^th when the Royals cruise to Kamloops to face the Blazers in a pre-season contest.

“It was an extensive process to get the bus to Victoria,” Royals Team President Dave Dakers said. “I presented the idea to Graham last summer and he supported it so we placed the order around the same time. There are very few suppliers in North America that can supply a bus like this, which will be very unique in the WHL. Both Graham and his wife, Angela, helped choose the exterior and interior of the bus, as well as the many amenities on board. From the purchase of the new video scoreboard at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre and now to the purchase of this bus, Graham and RG Properties continue to support these ideas to help the player and fan experience.

“There have certainly been some hurdles bringing the bus over the border, but we now have it here and we are very happy to finally have it in Victoria. With the countless hours a WHL team spends on a bus, we believe it is imperative to do everything within our means to make this time as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. This bus will provide the players the necessary amenities to accomplish this.”

Cameron Hope named General Manager

The Victoria Royals announce Cameron Hope as General Manager.

Royals Owner Graham Lee on hiring Hope, "...we hit it off right away, same philosophies, very similar vision and with the experience he had, it was a great fit for us." said Lee, "...I have quite a few people I know in the NHL and they highly recommended him to begin with...".

Cameron Hope, Royals new General Manager

Cameron previously spent 7 years (2004 – 2011) working as part of the NHL New York Rangers management team, promoted from VP of Hockey Admininstration to Assistant General Manager in 2007.

"I worked with Glen Sather for 7 years, and you learn an incredible amount of on the ground things you need to know about hockey." said Cameron Hope.

"I'm a new guy coming into the Western League, there's a lot I need to learn and I'm a curious guy by nature..." said Hope the Royals newly appointed GM.  "It really came out of left field...I was blind-sided by a fantastic opportunity."

The process to find a Head Coach is already underway.  "Within a week or two weeks at the outside, maybe quicker than that...", commented Hope when asked when they hope to have a new bench boss.

More in the official press release below.

Hope on the process of becoming the new GM:


Hope on the teams vision:


Hope on what he hopes to bring from experience with the NHL NYR:
 

Hope on whether he's leaning towards a coach with WHL experience:
 

Hope on when a decision will be made on a new Head Coach:

 

Hope on how long it took him to decide on the position:
 

Royals Owner Graham Lee on approaching Cameron Hope about the GM position:


Lee on the philosophies they share:


Lee on splitting the duties of Coach & GM:
 

Lee on getting a new Head Coach:


Lee on if there was any concern about Hope being new to the WHL:
 

ROYALS NAME CAMERON HOPE GENERAL MANAGER

Former New York Rangers’ Assistant GM takes over Victoria’s top hockey position. 

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 6, 2012

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals today announced that Cameron Hope has been named the second General Manager in the team’s history and the fourth in the franchise’s history.

Previously, Hope spent seven years (2004 thru 2011) working as a part of the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers’ management team. Originally hired as the Rangers’ Vice President of Hockey Administration, Research and Development he was promoted to the Assistant General Manager’s position in 2007.

In these roles he oversaw the day-to-day work of the hockey operations department, and was responsible for all aspects of hockey administration for the team, including matters relating to the hockey club’s salary structure, the team’s interaction with the National Hockey League, player contracts, player movement, and Collective Bargaining Agreement issues.

“We are very pleased to have been able to attract an experienced and quality person such as Cam” said Graham Lee, owner of the Victoria Royals. “We have talked to many very credible people in hockey who know Cam and they have all highly recommended him as very knowledgeable hockey person with a high level of integrity. I believe he will be a very strong addition to our team and will bring his NHL experience at the highest level in developing players and providing an environment for players to succeed.”

The 48-year-old will oversee the day-to-day management of team operations, all player personnel decisions as well as the team’s scouting department.

"I am excited for the opportunity," Hope said, "and happy to be here. Graham’s vision for junior hockey in Victoria, and his commitment to creating a culture of excellence with the Royals, is impressive. I’m honoured to have been given the chance to join the team and I look forward to the challenge."

“We are very fortunate to have a person of Cam’s caliber join our organization,” Royals’ team President Dave Dakers said. “I look forward to working together with Cam to help mold and shape the Victoria Royals into one of the model franchises in the WHL.”

The Edmonton, AB native obtained his law degree from the University of Alberta in 1988. The first portion of his career was spent as a litigation lawyer in the Alberta capital. Sport has played a role in Cam’s professional career from early on. He represented the Canadian Football League Players’ Association, and its players in grievance matters. He also has spent time as a professional race car driver and a performance-driving instructor. After his departure from the Rangers in 2011, he returned to Edmonton where he resumed his law career.