Keegan Kanzig Draft Audio

Royals defenceman Keegan Kanzig was selected 67th overall by the Calgary Flames(third round) at the 2013 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft today.

I talked with Keegan from his home in Athabasca (just north of Edmonton) following the draft.

33 WHL PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2013 NHL

WHL PRESS RELEASE:

Newark, NJ – The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that 33 WHL players were selected in the 2013 NHL Draft on Sunday, June 30^th, at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey.

Defenceman Seth Jones of the Portland Winterhawks was the first WHL player to be selected, being chosen fourth overall by the Nashville Predators.  Jones was one of eight WHL players to be chosen in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft, which is the most WHL players taken in the opening round since the 2009 NHL Draft when nine were chosen.

A total of 16 WHL defencemen were drafted by NHL Clubs in the 2013 NHL Draft while 12 WHL forwards and five WHL goaltenders were also selected.

101 CHL players were selected in the seven rounds of the 2013 NHL Draft, representing nearly 48% of the 211 drafted players.  A record 22 CHL players were chosen in the first round.

Since the NHL Draft’s inception in 1969, a total of 1,817 WHL players have been selected by NHL Clubs.

2013 NHL Draft, WHL Players
O/A. NHL Club – Name, Pos; Hometown; WHL Club

1^st Round
#4. Nashville Predators – Seth Jones, D; Plano, TX; Portland Winterhawks
#13. Winnipeg Jets – Josh Morrissey, D; Calgary, AB; Prince Albert Raiders
#15. New York Islanders – Ryan Pulock, D; Grandview, MB; Brandon Wheat Kings
#17. Ottawa Senators – Curtis Lazar, F; Vernon, B.C.; Edmonton Oil Kings
#18. San Jose Sharks – Mirco Mueller, D; Winterthur, SUI; Everett Silvertips
#24. Vancouver Canucks – Hunter Shinkaruk, F; Calgary, AB; Medicine Hat Tigers
#26. Anaheim Ducks – Shea Theodore, D; Langley,B.C.; Seattle Thunderbirds
#28. Calgary Flames – Morgan Klimchuk, F; Calgary, AB; Regina Pats

2^nd Round
#43. Winnipeg Jets – Nicolas Petan, F; Delta, B.C.; Portland Winterhawks
#44. Pittsburgh Penguins – Tristan Jarry, G; Delta, B.C.; Edmonton Oil Kings
#50. Columbus Blue Jackets – Dillon Heatherington, D; Calgary, AB; Swift Current Broncos
#53. Washington Capitals – Madison Bowey, D; Winnipeg, MB; Kelowna Rockets
#59. Winnipeg Jets – Eric Comrie, G; Newport Beach, CA; Tri-City Americans

3^rd Round
#67. Calgary Flames – Keegan Kanzig, D; Athabasca, AB; Victoria Royals
#72. Philadelphia Flyers – Tyrell Goulbourne, F; Edmonton, AB; Kelowna Rockets
#89. Columbus Blue Jackets – Oliver Bjorkstrand,F; Herning, DEN; Portland Winterhawks
#91. Winnipeg Jets – JC Lipon; Regina, F, SK; Kamloops Blazers

4^th Round
#93. Colorado Avalanche – Mason Geertsen, D; Rocky Rapids, AB; Vancouver Giants
#94. Edmonton Oilers – Jackson Houck, F; North Vancouver, B.C.; Vancouver Giants
#112. St. Louis Blues – Zachary Pochiro, F; Las Vegas, NV; Prince George Cougars

5^th Round
#131. Dallas Stars – Cole Ully, F; Calgary, AB; Kamloops Blazers
#135. Calgary Flames – Eric Roy, D; Beauval, SK; Brandon Wheat Kings
#139. Detroit Red Wings – Mitchell Wheaton, D; Sherwood Park, AB; Kelowna Rockets
#146. Los Angeles Kings – Patrik Bartosak, G; Koprivnice, CZE; Red Deer Rebels

6^th Round
#158. Edmonton Oilers – Ben Betker, D; Cranbrook, B.C.; Everett Silvertips
#160. New Jersey Devils – Myles Bell, F; Calgary, AB; Kelowna Rockets
#163. Phoenix Coyotes – Brendan Burke, G; Scottsdale, AZ; Portland Winterhawks
#169. Detroit Red Wings – Marc McNulty, D; Medicine Hat, AB; Prince George Cougars
#170. New York Rangers – Mackenzie Skapski, G; Abbotsford, B.C.; Kootenay Ice

7^th Round
#188. Edmonton Oilers – Greg Chase, F; Sherwood Park, AB; Calgary Hitmen
#190. Winnipeg Jets – Brenden Kichton, D; Spruce Grove, AB; Spokane Chiefs
#196. New York Islanders – Kyle Burroughs, D; Langley, B.C.; Regina Pats
#204. Washington Capitals – Tyler Lewington, D; Sherwood Park, AB; Medicine Hat Tigers

Past WHL – NHL Draft Results
A total of 33 WHL players were selected in the 2013 NHL Draft, including eight in the 1st round
A total of 32 WHL players were selected in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, including six in the 1st round.
A total of 33 WHL players were selected in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, including five in the 1st round.
A total of 43 WHL players were selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, including seven in the 1st round.
A total of 31 WHL players were selected in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, including five in the 1st round.
A total of 37 WHL players were selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, including nine in the 1st round.
A total of 37 WHL players were selected in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, including nine in the 1st round.
A total of 24 WHL players were selected in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, including four in the 1^st round.
A total of 43 WHL players were selected in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, including four in the 1^st round.

Keegan Kanzig Drafted by Flames 67th overall

ROYALS’ KEEGAN KANZIG DRAFTED BY THE CALGARY FLAMES IN 2013 NHL DRAFT!

Victoria defender selected 67^th overall.

For Immediate Release

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals are proud to announce that defenceman Keegan Kanzig was selected by the Calgary Flames in the third round with the 67th overall pick today at the 2013 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft in Newark, New Jersey.

The Athabasca, AB native becomes the first Victoria player to be drafted to the NHL this year and the highest drafted player in Royals’ history. Kanzig recently completed his second season with the Royals and saw action in 70 games last year, notching seven assists and 159 minutes in penalties. Kanzig was the 14th player drafted from the Western Hockey League and 39th Canadian-born skater selected.

“It’s hard to explain the feeling,” Kanzig said from his home in Athabasca. “You could say excitement, but that really doesn’t do it justice. Calgary was one of the teams I was hoping would choose me. It’s a great organization, a great city, and it’s a great opportunity for me.”

In his two-year WHL career, Kanzig has appeared in 133 games and has registered nine assists along with 225 penalty minutes. Kanzig has also appeared in 10 games in the WHL Playoffs where he has scored one goal and posted 18 minutes in penalties. Kanzig also represented Team Pacific at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Championships.

The 6-5, 238 lb defenceman was selected by the Chilliwack Bruins in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft in the first round, seventh overall. Before Kanzig joined the Royals, he played one season with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers Midget AAA team where he skated in 31 games and posted 12 points (4g-8a) and 82 penalty minutes.

We are Royal Blue, are you? 2013-14 season ticket packages starting from $414 are on sale now! To guarantee yourself the best seats at the best prices call 250-220-7889, visit www.victoriaroyals.com, or head down to the Victoria Royals Ticketing office at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

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For further information contact:

Corey St. Laurent

Manager of Communications and Hockey Operations Coordinator

Victoria Royals Hockey Club

250-220-2613

corey.st.laurent@victoriaroyals.com

Royals to Team Pacific U-17 Development Camp

ROYALS’ FOURSOME RECEIVES OPPORTUNITY WITH TEAM PACIFIC

Victoria’s Chaz Reddekopp and Tyler Soy invited to Team Pacific Under-17 Camp; Enio Sacilotto and Khore Elliot named to staff.

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals are proud to announce that defenceman Chaz Reddekopp and forward Tyler Soy have been invited to attend the Team Pacific Under-17 Summer Development Camp while Assistant Coach Enio Sacilotto and Athletic Therapist Khore Elliott have been named to Team Pacific’s staff.

Reddekopp, a native of West Kelowna, BC played the 2012-13 hockey season with the Pursuit of Excellence Midget Team 1. The 6’2”, 200 lb defender appeared in 61 games with the team where he scored 51 points (18g-33a) and picked up 77 penalty minutes. He also appeared in one game with the Royals this past season. Reddekopp skated for Team BC at the 2012 Under-16 Western Canada Challenge Cup and helped to lead the team to a gold medal. Chaz was selected 13^th overall by Victoria in the 2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.

Soy, a 5’11”, 154 lb forward spent last season with the Okanagan Hockey Academy Prep team. The Surrey, BC native led his team in scoring after he collected 99 points (38g-61a) and 16 penalty minutes in 52 games. Soy also played in seven games with the Royals notching one goal and one assist. Tyler represented BC at the 2012 Under-16 Western Canada Challenge Cup en route to a gold medal. Tyler was Victoria’s first pick of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, eighth overall.

Royals’ assistant coach, Enio Sacilotto, will join Team Pacific as one of the team’s assistant coaches. Sacilotto in entering his third season with Victoria after spending time with various hockey leagues around the world, which included stops in Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Denmark, England and Croatia. He has also coached in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), where he was named BCHL Coach of the Year for the 1994-95 season with the Penticton Vees.

Khore Elliott, the Royals’ athletic therapist, has been named one of Team Pacific’s athletic therapists. Elliott will enter his second season with Victoria this year. Elliott previously worked with the Canadian Under-20 Rugby team, the Victoria Salmon Kings, the BCHL’s Cowichan Valley Captials, the Westshore Rebels and at the BMO Skate Canada National Championships.

Here Comes the Blue! Season ticket packages for the 2013-14 season are on sale now! Call 250-220-7889, visit www.selectyourtickets.com, or head down to the Victoria Royals ticketing office at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for more information.

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For further information contact:

Corey St. Laurent

Manager of Communications and Hockey Operations Coordinator

Victoria Royals Hockey Club

250-220-2613

corey.st.laurent@victoriaroyals.com

Regular Season Schedule Released

The Victoria Royals released the team’s regular season schedule today, opening their 3rd campaign on the road against the Vancouver Giants September 20th.

The Royals’ home opener is the the following night against their same BC Division rival Giants, the team they’ll face the most of any club, a total of 10 times.

Victoria’s first meeting against Kamloops, the team they fell to in the opening round of the playoffs, will be on the road October 4th.

For the first time, the WHL adopted the same scheduler that the NHL, AHL and ECHL uses.  Royals GM Cam Hope:

The Royals will have 3 separate 5 game homestands next season which all mark the longest home stretches for the club.

The club will hold 14 home double headers this season, where clubs come to the Island for two game sets.

Victoria’s longest road trip of the season will see the club play 7 games over a 16 day period as the team makes its bi-annual visit to the prairies.

The WHL and the  Cities of Red Deer and Lethbridge will serve as the official hosts for two games of the 2013 SUBWAY® Super Series in November.  The CHL Top Prospects game features the Calgary Hitmen hosting the top NHL Draft-eligible prospects on January 15th, 2014.

The 2013 WHL Opening Weekend will launch on Thursday, September 19th, with the Regina Pats hosting the Swift Current Broncos.

Victoria’s next order of business is the CHL Import Draft on Wednesday July 3rd, where the Royals will draft 31st overall.

2013-14 Schedule Facts:

By Team:

Brandon: 0 home + 1 road = 1 game
Calgary: 2 home + 0 road = 2 games
Edmonton: 1 home + 1 road = 2 games
Everett: 2 home + 2 road = 4 games
Kamloops: 4 home + 4 road = 8 games
Kelowna: 4 home + 4 road = 8 games
Kootenay: 1 home + 0 road = 1 game
Lethbridge: 2 home + 1 road = 3 games
Medicine Hat: 1 home + 1 road = 2 games
Moose Jaw: 0 home + 1 road = 1 game
Portland: 2 home + 2 road = 4 games
Prince Albert: 0 home + 1 road = 1 game
Prince George: 4 home + 4 road = 8 games
Regina: 0 home + 1 road = 1 game
Red Deer: 2 home + 0 road = 2 games
Saskatoon: 0 home + 1 road = 1 game
Seattle: 2 home + 2 road = 4 games
Spokane: 2 home + 2 road = 4 games
Swift Current: 0 home + 1 road = 1 game
Tri-City: 2 home + 2 road = 4 games
Vancouver: 5 home + 5 road = 10 games

By Divison:

B.C. Division: 17 home + 17 road = 34 games
U.S. Division: 10 home + 10 road = 20 games
East Division: 0 home + 6 road = 6 games
Central Division: 9 home + 3 road = 12 games

By Month:

September: 3 home + 2 road = 5 games
October: 7 home + 5 road = 12 games
November: 7 home + 6 road = 13 games
December: 5 home + 5 road = 10 games
January: 7 home + 5 road = 12 games
February: 4 home + 9 road = 13 games
March: 3 home + 4 road = 7 games

By Day:

Sunday: 1 home + 2 road = 3 games
Monday: 1 home + 2 road = 3 games
Tuesday: 4 home + 4 road = 8 games
Wednesday: 6 home + 4 road = 10 games
Thursday: 0 home + 1 road = 1 games
Friday: 12 home + 11 road = 23 games
Saturday: 12 home + 12 road = 24 games


2013 VICTORIA ROYALS PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE:

Friday, Aug 30,  Victoria @ Everett         -Everett, WA         7:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug 31,  Victoria @ Seattle    -Everett, WA        3:00 p.m.

Sunday, Sept 1,  Victoria @ Tri-City     -Everett, WA          11:30 a.m.

Saturday, Sept 14,  Vancouver @ Victoria     -SOFMC         1:35 p.m.

Sunday, Sept 15,  Victoria @ Vancouver     -Ladner, BC          2:00 p.m.