Royals Trade for Alex Gogolev

The Victoria Royals traded forward Zane Jones (94) and a conditional 6th round draft choice to the Calgary Hitmen for import forward Alex Gogolev (92) and a 4th pick in 2013.

Zane Jones, now of the Calgary Hitmen.

"I think if you look at his stats and the type of player he is, you know why we're bringing him in." said Head Coach Dave Lowry on Gogolev.  "We've got some good offensive guys and we think he'll be able to come in and complement our guys and he's a very dynamic player."

As for Zane Jones, the move means being closer to his hometown of Olds, AB.  "I'm happy about it, I'm close to home...it's bittersweet leaving a great spot like Victoira, great group of guys here." said Jones.

Alex Gogolev, now a Victoria Royal

"When you get a chance to get an elite scorer in the league you have to really look at it hard..." General Manager Cam Hope said, "And to get a quality guy like that, you've got to give up quality.  Nobody likes to make a trade of a guy who's been here, who's part of the fabric of the team, it makes it hard, but I felt it was something that would make the club better."

The Royals now carry three overagers in Jamie Crooks, Tyler Stahl, and Alex Gogolev.  They also have both Euro spots filled with netminder Patrik Polivka.

ROYALS TRADE FOR ALEX GOGOLEV

Victoria sends Zane Jones to Calgary for veteran sniper and a fourth round pick.

For Immediate Release

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals today announced that the team has traded for import forward Alex Gogolev (1992) and a fourth round pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft from the Calgary Hitmen. In exchange, the Royals have sent forward Zane Jones (1994) and a conditional sixth round draft choice to the Hitmen.

Gogolev played his first season in the WHL last year after being selected by the Calgary Hitmen in the 2011 CHL Import Draft in the second round, 63^rd overall. With the Hitmen, Gogolev collected 57 points (25g-32a) in 69 games of regular season play in 2011-12 to go along with a plus-17 rating. The Moscow, Russia native also registered four points (3g-1a) in five games during the 2012 WHL Playoffs with Calgary.

The 5-11, 172 lb forward spent the majority of the 2010-11 season with MHC Spartak of the Minor Hockey League (MHL), the top level of junior hockey in Eurasia. Gogolev notched 42 points (19g-23a) as well as 111 penalty minutes through 43 games played and was selected to the 2010-11 MHL All-Star Game. 

Gogolev also suited up for three games with Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) during the 2010-11 season. Spartak drafted the forward in the 2009 KHL Draft with their second round, 28^th overall, selection.

In the 2009-10 season, Gogolev played 45 games for MHC Spartak, registering 44 points (13g-31a) in his rookie season. Gogolev was also selected to represent Russia at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge tallying six points (3g-3a) in five games at the tournament en route to a silver medal.

Victoria sends forward Zane Jones to Calgary after the Olds, AB native spent the 2011-12 season with the Royals. Drafted by the Chilliwack Bruins in the fifth round, 91^st overall, of the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, Jones recorded 32 points (14g-18a) last season in 68 games as well as one goal and one assist in four games during the 2012 WHL Playoffs.

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 tickets@victoriaroyals.com before it’s too late!