Tuesday 31 March 2015

Royals: Magee CHL Player Of The Week

ROYALS’ BRANDON MAGEE NAMED CHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Veteran forward leads Victoria to two wins with six points.

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Victoria, BC- The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Victoria Royals’ forward Brandon Magee has been named the CHL Player of the week.

Magee, a native of Edmonton, AB recorded six points (5g-1a) including a hat-trick and both game-winning goals in the Royals’ first two playoff games vs. the Prince George Cougars this past weekend.

The 1994-born veteran becomes the second player (Alex Gogolev - 2012-2013) in Victoria Royals team history to receive the CHL Player of the Week award. The WHL also announced Magee as the Denny’s Player of the Week yesterday. 

The 5-9, 185 lb Magee leads the league in playoff scoring and is tied with former Royal Steven Hodges for most playoff points in Victoria/Chilliwack franchise history with 20 (9g-11a). In his last nine games played including the regular season, Magee has registered 10 goals and six assists for 16 points.

Magee, in his final season with the club is the all-time franchise leader in regular season games played (318), points (264) and assists (151).

The best-of-seven series will now shift to Prince George for Games 3 and 4, tomorrow and Thursday with puck drop slated for 7:00 p.m. on both nights.

The Royals will return home for Game 5 (if necessary) on Saturday with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m. Individual playoff tickets, starting at $13.00, are now on sale at the Select Your Tickets Box Office located at the arena, over the phone at 250-220-7777 or online at ww.selectyourtickets.com.    


Season Tickets for the 2015-16 Royals season are on sale now. Take advantage of our exclusive Early Bird offer to new season ticket holders by placing a $100 per seat deposit and getting all remaining home games for the first round of the playoffs for free. To arrange a meeting to pick your seats please call 250-220-7889 or visit the Victoria Royals ticket office at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

Monday 30 March 2015

Magee Named WHL Player Of The Week

ROYALS’ BRANDON MAGEE NAMED DENNY’S WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Victoria forward records six points in two games.

For Immediate Release
Monday, March 30, 2015

Victoria, BC- The Western Hockey League today announced that Victoria Royals’ forward Brandon Magee has been named Denny’s WHL Player of the week.

Magee, a native of Edmonton, AB recorded six points (5g-1a) including a hat-trick and both game-winning goals in the Royals’ first two playoff games vs. the Prince George Cougars this past weekend.

The 1994-born veteran becomes the fourth player (Travis Brown - 2014-15, Joe Hicketts - 2014-15 and Alex Gogolev - 2012-2013) in Victoria Royals team history to receive the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week award.

The 5-9, 185 lb Magee leads the league in playoff scoring and is tied with former Royal Steven Hodges for most playoff points in Victoria/Chilliwack franchise history with 20 (9g-11a). In his last nine games played including the regular season, Magee has registered 10 goals and six assists for 16 points.

Magee, in his final season with the club is the all-time franchise leader in regular season games played (318), points (264) and assists (151).

The best-of-seven series will now shift to Prince George for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Thursday with puck drop slated for 7:00 p.m. on both nights.

The Royals will return home for Game 5 (if necessary) on Saturday with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m. Individual playoff tickets, starting at $13.00, are now on sale at the Select Your Tickets Box Office located at the arena, over the phone at 250-220-7777 or online at ww.selectyourtickets.com.    

Season Tickets for the 2015-16 Royals season are on sale now. Take advantage of our exclusive Early Bird offer to new season ticket holders by placing a $100 per seat deposit and getting all remaining home games for the first round of the playoffs for free. To arrange a meeting to pick your seats please call 250-220-7889 or visit the Victoria Royals ticket office at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

ROYALS’ MAGEE NAMED DENNY’S WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
CALGARY, AB - The Western Hockey League announced today that Victoria Royals forward Brandon Magee is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week for the week ending March 29th, 2015.  

Magee collected six points (5g-1a) in two games to help the Royals take a 2-0 series lead against the Prince George Cougars in Round 1 of the 2015 WHL Playoffs. 

On Friday, March 27th against the Prince George Cougars, Magee recorded a hat trick and added an assist to earn first star honours in a 5-3 victory. The following night, Magee scored two goals, including the game-winner, to lead the Royals to a Game 2 victory over the Cougars by a score of 5-4 while also claiming first star honours.

The 21-year-old Edmonton, A
B native gathered 61 points (23g-38a) while playing in 50 games this season. The 5’9”, 185 lb forward is in his fifth WHL campaign with Victoria and has amassed 264 points (113g-151a) in 318 career WHL regular season contests. In 19 career WHL Playoff games, Magee has 20 points (9g-11a).

The WHL has also nominated Jackson Whistle of the Kelowna Rockets for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week award. Whistle, a 1995-born netminder from West Kelowna, BC, recorded two shutouts
last week in the Rockets Round 1 match-up against the Tri-City Americans. On Friday, March 27th, Whistle turned aside 18 shots in Game 1 against the Americans to earn a 6-0 shutout victory and claim third star honours. The following night, Whistle stopped all 30 shots he faced in Game 2 to pick up his second consecutive shutout and a 3-0 win while earning second star honours. Currently in his fourth WHL campaign, Whistle has posted a 2-0-1 record with two shutouts in thee career WHL Playoff appearances. 

Denny’s WHL Player of the Week
Mar. 23
– Mar. 29: Brandon Magee, Victoria Royals
Mar. 16 – Mar. 22: Jake DeBrusk, Swift Current Broncos
Mar. 9 – Mar. 15: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland WInterhawks
Mar. 2 – Mar. 8: Peter Quenneville, Brandon Wheat Kings
Feb. 23
– Mar. 1: Jansen Harkins, Prince George Cougars
Feb. 16
– Feb. 22: Jayce Hawryluk, Brandon Wheat Kings
Feb. 9 – Feb. 15: Leon Draisaitl, Kelowna Rockets
Feb. 2 – Feb. 8: Rihards Bukarts, Brandon Wheat Kings
Jan. 26 – Feb. 1: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks 
Jan. 19 – Jan. 25: Tyrell Goulbourne, Kelowna Rockets 
Jan. 12 – Jan. 18: Tim McGauley, Brandon Wheat Kings 
Jan. 5 – Jan. 11: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks 
Dec. 29 – Jan. 4: Travis Brown, Victoria Royals
Dec. 15 – Dec. 28: Trevor Cox, Medicine Hat Tigers 
Dec. 8 – Dec. 14: Cole Sanford, Medicine Hat Tigers 
Dec. 1 – Dec. 7: Connor Rankin, Calgary Hitmen 
Nov. 24 – Nov. 30: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks
Nov. 17 – Nov. 23: Lane Bauer, Edmonton Oil Kings
Nov. 10 – Nov. 16: Sam Reinhart, Kootenay Ice
Nov. 3 – Nov. 9: Rourke Chartier, Kelowna Rockets
Oct. 27 – Nov. 2: Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert Raiders
Oct. 20 – Oct. 26: Conner Bleackley, Red Deer Rebels
Oct. 13 – Oct. 19: Joe Hicketts, Victoria Royals
Oct. 6 – Oct. 12: Ivan Nikolishin, Everett Silvertips
Sept. 29 – Oct. 5: Madison Bowey, Kelowna Rockets
Sept. 22 – Sept. 28: Carson Stadnyk, Everett Silvertips
Sept. 19 – Sept. 21: Jay Merkley, Swift Current Broncos


-30-

Sunday 29 March 2015

Recap: PG 4 - VIC 5 (Game 2)



Brandon Magee scored twice in the third, including the eventual winner as the Victoria Royals edged the visiting Prince George Cougars 5-4 Saturday night, taking a 2-0 playoff series lead.

Victoria never trailed in the game, holding period leads of 1-0 and 3-2, but Prince George tied the game twice in the final frame, and both times Magee pulled the home team ahead.

“We found a way to win…” said Head Coach Dave Lowry,

“The one thing that I liked tonight was when we did give up those goals (in the third), we battled back, and stayed with it, and were able to get the lead back twice.”

Magee also scored the game winner one night earlier, giving him 5 goals and an assist in the two games.

“Our whole team has been playing phenomenal night in and night out,” said Magee,

“I just happened to be in the right spots at the right times, and Forsberg made a nice pass to me on that last goal - I was lucky enough to put it home.”

The series now shifts to Prince George for games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Thursday.

Royals netminder Coleman Vollrath earned a second straight win making 30 saves, while his counterpart Ty Edmonds kicked out 20 shots.

The Cougars power play was effective again going 2 for 6, and a combined 5 for 10 in the two games.  The Royals struck out on both man advantages, going 0 for 5 in the series.

The line of Tyler Soy, Greg Chase and Jack Walker combined for 6 points, each with a goal and assist.

Prince George got a pair of goals from defenseman Tate Olson while Zach Pochiro and Chase Witala added singles.  Brad Morrison, Joseph Carvalho and Jansen Harkins chipped in with a pair of helpers each.

Attendance was announced at 5,545.

- Marlon Martens

Prince George Cougars 4 at Victoria Royals 5 - Status: Final
Saturday, March 28, 2015 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Prince George 0 2 2 - 4
Victoria 1 2 2 - 5

1st Period-
1, Victoria, Walker 1 (Reddekopp), 13:57.

Penalties-Harkins P.g (cross checking), 5:51; Carroll Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 7:44; Sayers Vic (holding), 14:25; Carvalho P.g (high sticking), 18:20; Soy Vic (hooking), 18:49.

2nd Period-
2, Victoria, Soy 1 (Chase, Hicketts), 3:20.
3, Prince George, Olson 2 (Morrison, Carvalho), 5:50 (PP).
4, Victoria, Chase 2 (Walker, Soy), 15:11.
5, Prince George, Pochiro 1 (Harkins), 18:28.

Penalties-Ruopp P.g (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 2:26; Forsberg Vic (slashing), 2:26; Magee Vic (cross checking), 3:57.

3rd Period-
6, Prince George, Olson 3 (Soltes, Morrison), 5:02 (PP).
7, Victoria, Magee 4   11:51.
8, Prince George, Witala 2 (Harkins, Carvalho), 13:49.
9, Victoria, Magee 5 (Forsberg, Brown), 15:47.

Penalties-Fushimi Vic (delay of game), 3:06; Crunk Vic (boarding), 16:23.

Shots on Goal-
Prince George 13-8-13-34.
Victoria 8-11-6-25.

Power Play Opportunities-
Prince George 2 / 6;
Victoria 0 / 2.

Goalies-
Prince George, Edmonds 0-2-0-0 (25 shots-20 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 2-0-0-0 (34 shots-30 saves).

A-5,545
Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Reagan Vetter (39).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).

ROYALS EDGE COUGARS IN GAME 2
Victoria downs Prince George 5-4 to go up 2-0 in best-of-seven series.

For Immediate Release
Saturday, March 28, 2015

Victoria, BC- Victoria Royals’ Brandon Magee notched two goals in the final frame including the game-winner as the homeside defeated the Prince George Cougars 5-4 to take a 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.

The Cougars would tie the game twice in the third period, however Magee would answer back on both occasions. Jack Walker, Tyler Soy and Greg Chase notched the other markers for Victoria. Prince George’s goals were potted by Tate Olson (2), Zach Pochiro and Chase Witala.

Victoria goaltender Coleman Vollrath stopped 30 of the 34 shots he faced, while Prince George netminder Ty Edmonds turned aside 20 of 25 shots.

The Royals went 0/2=0.0% on the powerplay and the Cougars would go 2/6=33.3% with the man advantage.

The best-of-seven series will now shift to Prince George for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday, April 1st and Thursday, April 2nd with puck drop slated for 7:00pm on both nights.

The Royals will return home for Game 5 (if necessary) on Saturday, April 4th with puck drop set for 7:05pm. Individual playoff tickets, starting at $13.00, are now on sale at the Select Your Tickets Box Office located at the arena, over the phone at 250-220-7777 or online at ww.selectyourtickets.com.  

Season Tickets for the 2015-16 Royals season are on sale now. Take advantage of our exclusive Early Bird offer to new season ticket holders by placing a $100 per seat deposit and getting all remaining home games for the first round of the playoffs for free. To arrange a meeting to pick your seats please call 250-220-7889 or visit the Victoria Royals ticket office at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.


Friday 27 March 2015

Recap: PG 3 - VIC 5 (Game 1)

Brandon Magee had a hat trick on a four point night to lead the Victoria Royals past the visiting Prince George Cougars 5-3 to take game 1, Friday night.

Trailing 2-0 after 20 minutes, the Royals scored 4 in a row in the middle frame before the Cougars came to within one in the third.  Taylor Crunk added the insurance marker into an empty net for the victory.

Magee scored all three in the 2nd period for the franchise’s 2nd playoff hatrick, the first coming exactly 3 years ago to the date, courtesy of Jamie Crooks in game 3 versus the Kamloops Blazers in a 7-5 loss.

Greg Chase also scored for Victoria, while Alex Forsberg and Joe Hicketts added a pair of helpers each.  Netminder Coleman Vollrath made 28 saves including 13 in the third for the win.

The Cougars got goals from Tate Olson, Chase Witala, and Kody McDonald, while Brad Morrison had a pair of helpers.  Ty Edmonds allowed 4 goals on 24 shots in the loss.

All of Prince George’s goals came with the man advantage going 3 for 4, while Victoria was 0 for 3.

The two clubs will square off for game 2 Saturday night at 7pm.

- Marlon Martens
(scoring summary below Royals Media Release)

ROYALS TAKE DOWN COUGARS IN GAME 1
Victoria tops Prince George 5-3 to take 1-0 series lead.

For Immediate Release
Friday, March 27, 2015

Victoria, BC- The Victoria Royals scored four second period goals to defeat the Prince George Cougars 5-3 and take a 1-0 series lead in the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.

The Royals trailed the Cougars 2-0 after 20 minutes before Brandon Magee netted his first career WHL playoff hat-trick and Greg Chase scored a highlight reel goal to give Victoria the 4-2 lead after two periods. Taylor Crunk tallied an empty net goal for the Royals in the final frame. The Cougars' Tate Olson and Chase Witala both scored in the opening period and Kody McDonald added a goal in the third period.

Victoria netminder Coleman Vollrath turned aside 28 of the 31 shots he faced for his first career post-season win. Prince George countered with Ty Edmonds who stopped 20 of 24 shots.

Victoria went 0/3=0.0% with the man advantage, while Prince George held a 3/4=75.0% mark.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is slated for tomorrow with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Individual playoff tickets, starting at $13.00, are now on sale at the Select Your Tickets Box Office located at the arena, over the phone at 250-220-7777 or online at ww.selectyourtickets.com.  

Season Tickets for the 2015-16 Royals season are on sale now. Take advantage of our exclusive Early Bird offer to new season ticket holders by placing a $100 per seat deposit and getting all remaining home games for the first round of the playoffs for free. To arrange a meeting to pick your seats please call 250-220-7889 or visit the Victoria Royals ticket office at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

Prince George Cougars 3 at Victoria Royals 5 - Status: Final
Friday, March 27, 2015 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Prince George 2 0 1 - 3
Victoria 0 4 1 - 5

1st Period-
1, Prince George, Olson 1 (Carvalho, Morrison), 6:08 (PP).
2, Prince George, Witala 1 (Erricson, Connolly), 7:06 (PP).

Penalties-Jarratt Vic (cross checking), 4:30; Brown Vic (cross checking), 5:51; Edmonds P.g (delay of game), 7:44.

2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Magee 1 (Hicketts), 4:59.
4, Victoria, Magee 2 (Forsberg), 5:59.
5, Victoria, Chase 1 (Soy, Walker), 12:20.
6, Victoria, Magee 3 (Carroll, Forsberg), 18:44.

Penalties-Andrlik P.g (high sticking), 0:44; Pochiro P.g (slashing), 10:47; Brown Vic (roughing), 10:47; Bear P.g (holding), 15:33.

3rd Period-
7, Prince George, McDonald 1 (Morrison), 6:32 (PP).
8, Victoria, Crunk 1 (Hicketts, Magee), 19:27 (EN).

Penalties-Sleptsov Vic (tripping), 1:56; Walker Vic (hooking), 4:38.

Shots on Goal-
Prince George 12-5-14-31.
Victoria 9-8-8-25.

Power Play Opportunities-
Prince George 3 / 4;
Victoria 0 / 3.

Goalies-
Prince George, Edmonds 0-1-0-0 (24 shots-20 saves).
Victoria, Vollrath 1-0-0-0 (31 shots-28 saves).

A-4,629
Referees-Fraser Lawrence (10), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Bevan Mills (98).

Thursday 26 March 2015

Preview: Prince George at Victoria Game 1

The Victoria Royals (39-29-3-1, 82pts) entertain the Prince George Cougars (31-36-2-3, 67pts) Friday and Saturday night, in the beginning of a best-of-seven opening round playoff series.

Pregame show on The Zone @ 91.3fm at 6:40 or online at cjzn.streamon.fm

Victoria finished 2nd in the BC Division and have home ice advantage against 3rd place Prince George.

The Cougars return to the playoffs after a 3 year absence, while the Royals look to build on last years second round exit to the Winterhawks, after a winning the franchise’s first playoff round in a sweep of the Chiefs.

In their 8 head to head meetings this season, Victoria holds a winning record of 5-3, while Prince George has points in 5 of the 8 encounters holding a record of (3-3-1-1).

Victoria won their last visit in Prince George 4-3 in a shoot out March 7th, after falling 4-3 the night earlier.

The Royals have outscored the Cougars 30-20 in their head to head meetings, while putting up 22 more goals overall, and allowing 76 less against.

During their 8 regular season meetings, Victoria was 10/44 on the power play (22.72%), while keeping the Cats to 7/45 (15.55%).

Top Head To Head Scorers:
Victoria:
Brandon Magee 6gp (6g, 4a) 10pts
Austin Carroll 8gp (4g, 6a) 10pts
Greg Chase 7gp (3g, 6a) 9pts

Prince George:
Josh Connolly 7gp (5g, 3a) 8pts
Jari Erricson 8gp (2g, 5a) 7pts
Brad Morrison 8gp (3g, 2a) 5pts

Prince George is the most penalized team in the WHL on average per game, with Victoria ranked 3rd.

Both clubs have 6 wins in their past 10 heading into the post season.

The Royals are 9 over .500 at home (21-12-3-0), while the Cougars are 4 under on the road (15-19-1-1).

Victoria has the 4th most 20-plus goal scorers in the league with 5. Austin Carroll (38), Tyler Soy (28), Alex Forsberg (26), Brandon Magee (23), and Greg Chase (20).

8 Royals players registered at least 55 points during the regular season.

’97 born Jansen Harkins leads the Cougars in scoring with 79 points, tied for 20th in the league. He set a new Cougars record for assists, breaking Quinn Hancock's former record of 58, and is averaging 1.16 points per game, tops on the team. He played for Team Orr at the CHL Top Prospects Game. Harkins is ranked 18th by NHL CSS mid term rankings for the upcoming draft.

Chase Witala leads Prince George in goals with 38, and is 2nd in team scoring with 69 points.  Connolly (54), Morrison (50), and Erricson (44) round out their top 5.

Victoria’s 21 year old forward Austin Carroll agreed to a three-year entry level contract with the Calgary Flames on Thursday, which was also his birthday.

Carroll led Victoria in goals (38) and points (77) this season as he set the Royals’ single season record in both categories. He also set the all-time franchise mark for career game winning goals and penalty minutes with 19 and 470 respectively. The 6-3, 214 lb winger was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 7th round with the 184th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft.

Joe Hicketts is 2nd in team scoring with 64 points including a team high 52 assists. Joe Hicketts was named Western Conference 2nd All Star Team. He is the first Royal and third player in franchise history to be named to a WHL All-Star Team.

This season, Hicketts led the Western Conference in scoring for defencemen and finished second in the WHL with 64 points (12g-52a) in 62 games played. Hicketts averaged 1.03 points per game, which was second in the league for D-men. The 5-8, 175 lb blueliner set the Royals’ single season record for most assists with 52 and also recorded the franchise mark for most powerplay assists by a defender in a campaign with 27.

Tyler Soy is 3rd in scoring with 63 points, including the 2nd most goals with 28.  Soy is ranked 152nd, by NHL CSS while defenseman Chaz Reddekopp is 199.

Cougars Forward Jared Bethune is rated 101, defenseman Tate Olson is 106, and forward Brad Mossison in ranked 150th.

Entering the 2015 WHL playoffs three Royals are nearing franchise records. Austin Carroll (8) sits two goals away from tying Jamie Crooks (10) for most playoff goals. Travis Brown (2g-5a) is currently three points back of Jordan Fransoo (2g-8a) for most points by a defenceman.

Brandon Magee (4g-10a) begins the playoffs only six points behind Steven Hodges (6g-14a) for most playoff points in franchise history, and four points behind Hodges for most assists.

Royals Head Coach Dave Lowry has been named the bench boss for Team Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships taking place December 26th, 2015 – January 5th, 2016 in Helsinki, Finland.

Lowry was a member of the gold medal winning team at the 2015 World Junior Championships in Montreal, QUE, and Toronto, ON, where he served as an assistant coach. Lowry was also the head coach for Team WHL in the 2014 SUBWAY Super Series against Team Russia.

Games 4 and 5 go in Prince George next Wednesday and Thursday.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals vs Prince George Cougars: Head To Head Stats
Summary

  
Description
Result
Head to Head Record 2014-15 Regular SeasonVictoria 5-3-0-0Prince George 3-3-1-1
Head to Head Record 2013-14 Regular SeasonVictoria 7-1-0-0Prince George 1-7-0-0
Last 5 Years record between teamsVictoria 28-11-0-1Prince George 12-22-1-5
Victoria vs. Prince George Last 5 Years record at VictoriaVictoria 14-5-0-1Prince George 6-11-1-2
Victoria vs. Prince George Last 5 Years record at Prince GeorgeVictoria 14-6-0-0Prince George 6-11-0-3
Previous Meetings This SeasonVictoria 4 @ Prince George 3 (Mar 7 2015) Final SO
Victoria 3 @ Prince George 4 (Mar 6 2015) Final
Prince George 2 @ Victoria 5 (Jan 10 2015) Final
Prince George 2 @ Victoria 3 (Jan 9 2015) Final OT
Prince George 0 @ Victoria 4 (Dec 28 2014) Final
Prince George 4 @ Victoria 3 (Dec 27 2014) Final
Victoria 6 @ Prince George 2 (Nov 8 2014) Final
Victoria 2 @ Prince George 3 (Nov 7 2014) Final



How the 2 teams match up
   
 
Prince George
Victoria
Team Record31-36-2-3 -- 67 points39-29-3-1 -- 82 points
Division Ranking3rd B.C.2nd B.C.
Conference Ranking6th Western5th Western
League Ranking12th10th
Past 10 Games6-3-0-16-4-0-0
Streak0-1-0-01-0-0-0
Last Game5-2 L @ Kamloops (Mar 21 2015) Final4-3 W @ Everett (Mar 21 2015) Final SO
Home Record16-17-1-221-12-3-0
Away Record15-19-1-118-17-0-1
GF222 244 
GA295 219 
PP (Overall)(52/327) 15.9(66/300) 22.0
PP (Home)(28/166) 16.9(35/142) 24.6
PP (Away)(24/161) 14.9(31/158) 19.6
PK (Overall)(98/349) 71.9(59/295) 80.0
PK (Home)(47/167) 71.9(25/139) 82.0
PK (Away)(51/182) 72.0(34/156) 78.2
Leading RookieBethune (6-14-20)Nagy (6-7-13)
Most PIMRuopp - 140Carroll - 124
Team PIM/GM18.2/Game13.9/Game
Leading ScorersHarkins (20-59-79)Carroll (38-39-77)
 Witala (38-31-69)Hicketts (12-52-64)
 Connolly (13-41-54)Soy (28-35-63)
 Morrison (23-27-50)Magee (23-38-61)
 Erricson (22-22-44)Chase (20-39-59)
Last 5 Games5-2 L @ Kamloops (Mar 21 2015) Final4-3 W @ Everett (Mar 21 2015) Final SO
 3-1 W vs Kamloops (Mar 20 2015) Final4-3 L vs Everett (Mar 20 2015) Final
 4-2 W vs Kamloops (Mar 18 2015) Final4-1 L vs Vancouver (Mar 15 2015) Final
 6-5 W @ Portland (Mar 14 2015) Final SO3-0 W vs Vancouver (Mar 14 2015) Final
 7-4 L @ Tri-City (Mar 13 2015) Final2-0 W @ Vancouver (Mar 13 2015) Final
Leading After 1st17-5-2-122-5-0-0
Leading After 2nd23-2-1-126-3-0-0
Tied After 1st5-8-0-111-9-0-1
Tied After 2nd3-2-1-08-5-2-0
Trailing After 1st9-23-0-16-15-3-0
Trailing After 2nd5-32-0-25-21-1-1
Out Shooting Opponents13-9-0-023-9-1-0
Out Shot by Opponents15-26-2-314-17-2-1
1-Goal Games14-4-2-315-11-3-1
2-Goal Games9-2-0-06-8-0-0
3-Goal Games3-16-0-010-5-0-0

Victoria Royals
#PlayerGPGAPTSPIM+/-
18Brandon Magee6641043
21Austin Carroll84610235
15Greg Chase (total)7369141
 CAL100060
 VIC6369141
16Alex Forsberg (total)5448110
 SAS10110-1
 VIC4437111
17Tyler Soy833655
9Jack Walker8156191
2Joe Hicketts606680
6Travis Brown81451011
19Dante Hannoun512300
25Brandon Fushimi811262
3Ryan Gagnon811264
24Regan Nagy711240
29Chaz Reddekopp811220-2
22Taylor Crunk8101141
4Ralph Jarratt610140
27Jared Dmytriw70112-2
20Logan Fisher801140
5X Keegan Kanzig201151
23X Axel Blomqvist300000
15X Matthew Campese100000
28Marsel Ibragimov700021
14Jack Palmer50002-4
1Justin Paulic200000
8Bryton Sayers (total)30000-4
 LET10000-3
 VIC20000-1
30X Jayden Sittler200000
8X Mitch Skapski400001
35Coleman Vollrath500000

#PlayerGPWLOTLSLMINGAGAASV%
35Coleman Vollrath54000273:58102.190.925
30X Jayden Sittler2020089:1642.690.882
1Justin Paulic21100118:4463.030.908

Prince George Cougars
#PlayerGPGAPTSPIM+/-
29Josh Connolly (total)753845
 KAM332522
 P.G421343
15Jari Erricson825703
9Brad Morrison83252-1
25Tate Olson80552-5
13Zach Pochiro622412-1
23Aaron Boyd520201
8Chase Witala62022-2
22X Chance Braid3112201
12Jansen Harkins81128-7
20Haydn Hopkins51124-1
26Kody McDonald711221-2
10Tyler Mrkonjic81126-2
27Joseph Carvalho80220-2
2Sam Ruopp802219-4
5Tomas Andrlik (total)31010-1
 P.A10000-1
 P.G210100
18David Soltes21010-1
21Jared Bethune80116-1
19Shane Collins501120
35Ty Edmonds601100
33Patrick Gora101100
28Josh Anderson500017-1
13Cal Babych60008-2
4Kirk Bear400080
6X Martin Bobos20000-2
4X Kobe Eagletail20000-1
1Tavin Grant100000
17Aaron Macklin6000121
14Colby McAuley60004-1
3X Marc McNulty20002-3
33X Jared Rathjen100000
11Jordan Ross10002-2

#PlayerGPWLOTLSLMINGAGAASV%
35Ty Edmonds63111339:19183.180.893
1Tavin Grant1010060:0044.000.867
33X Jared Rathjen1000026:4424.490.875
33Patrick Gora1010060:0055.000.857

Carroll Signs With Calgary Flames

ROYALS’ CARROLL SIGNS WITH CALGARY FLAMES
Victoria’s 2014-15 leading scorer signs NHL contract.

For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 26, 2015

Victoria, BC- The Victoria Royals would like to congratulate 1994-born forward Austin Carroll who has agreed to a three-year entry level contract with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Calgary Flames.

This season, Carroll led Victoria in goals (38) and points (77) as he set the Royals’ single season record in both categories. He also set the all-time franchise mark for career game winning goals and penalty minutes with 19 and 470 respectively.

The Scottsdale, AZ product has spent his entire WHL career (2011-2015) with the Royals. Carroll ranks as the fourth-leading scorer in Victoria/Chilliwack franchise history with 196 points (95g-101a) in 268 games.

The 6-3, 214 lb winger was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the seventh round with the 184th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft.

Carroll was selected by the Chilliwack Bruins in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft in the ninth round, 179th overall. Before Carroll joined the Royals, he played one season with the Coquitlam Express of the BCHL where he skated in 42 games and posted 11 points (6g-5a) and 28 penalty minutes

The Royals will have home ice advantage in the first round of the 2015 WHL Playoffs vs. the Prince George Cougars, with Game 1 & 2 of the best-of-seven series occurring at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Game 1 will take place tomorrow and Game 2 on Saturday, March 28th. Puck drop for both contests is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Individual playoff tickets, starting at $13.00, are now on sale at the Select Your Tickets Box Office located at the arena, over the phone at 250-220-7777 or online at www.selectyourtickets.com.  


Wednesday 25 March 2015

Royals Begin Playoffs Friday vs Cougars

ROYALS BEGIN PLAYOFF SERIES WITH COUGARS ON FRIDAY
Victoria hosts Prince George for Games 1 & 2 this weekend.

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals will host the Prince George Cougars in the first two games of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals presented by Coke Zero, 2 Burley Men, Yates Street Taphouse and Gillis Plumbing. Game 1 will take place on Friday and Game 2 on Saturday with puck drop for both contests scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

RECORD WATCH: Entering the 2015 WHL playoffs three Royals are nearing franchise records. Austin Carroll (8) sits two goals away from tying Jamie Crooks (10) for most playoff goals. Travis Brown (2g-5a) is currently three points back of Jordan Fransoo (2g-8a) for most points by a defenceman. Brandon Magee (4g-10a) begins the playoffs only six points behind Steven Hodges (6g-14a) for most playoff points in franchise history, and four points behind Hodges for most assists.

BALANCED ATTACK: The Victoria Royals finished the 2014-15 regular season tied for fourth in the WHL for icing the most 20-plus goal scorers with five. Austin Carroll (38), Tyler Soy (28), Alex Forsberg (26), Brandon Magee (23), and Greg Chase (20) led the way for the Royals with the most goals.

FRIDAY – GAME 1
Tickets:
-          Yates Street Taphouse Playoff Combo’s are on sale for $90. The Combo is a four pack of club tickets valid in sections 107 or 111 and includes a $20 gift card from the Yates Street Taphouse. Valued at $130, the combo can be purchased at the box office with only 50 packs available per game.
Pre-Game:
-          The first 4,000 fans will receive playoff clap banners courtesy of Coke Zero, 2 Burley Men, Yates Street Taphouse and Gillis Plumbing.

Intermission Activities & Promos:
Second Intermission
-          Hotel Grand Pacific Chuck-a-Puck
o   A free night’s stay at the Hotel Grand Pacific
o   Jiffy Lube Oil Change (approx. 20 winners per game)
Promo (First Intermission)
-          One fan will win a Starline EL77 Wireless Speaker courtesy of Coke Zero
Promo (Second Intermission)
-          Gillis Plumbing Shot on the Dot
o   The Fan that shoots a puck closest to the far face-off dot will win a $25 gift card from Costco and two movie passes (including popcorn and drinks) courtesy of Gillis Plumbing

SATURDAY – GAME 2
Tickets:
-          Yates Street Taphouse Playoff Combo’s are on sale for $90. The Combo is a four pack of club tickets valid in sections 107 or 111 and includes a $20 gift card from the Yates Street Taphouse. Valued at $130, the combo can be purchased at the box office with only 50 packs available per game.
Pre-Game:
-          The first 4,000 fans will receive playoff clap banners courtesy of Coke Zero, 2 Burley Men, Yates Street Taphouse and Gillis Plumbing.

Intermission Activities:
Second Intermission
-          Hotel Grand Pacific Chuck-a-Puck
o   A free night’s stay at the Hotel Grand Pacific
o   Jiffy Lube Oil Change (approx. 20 winners per game)


Season Tickets for the 2015-16 Royals season are on sale now. Take advantage of our exclusive Early Bird offer to new season ticket holders by placing a $100 per seat deposit and getting all home games for the first round of the playoffs for free. To arrange a meeting to pick your seats please call 250-220-7889 or visit the Victoria Royals ticket office at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

Hicketts Named Western Conf 2nd All Star Team

ROYALS’ JOE HICKETTS NAMED TO WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAM
Victoria defender earns spot on Second All-Star Team.

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Victoria, BC- The Victoria Royals would like to congratulate defenceman Joe Hicketts on being named to the Western Conference Second All-Star Team for the 2014-15 season.

This season, Hicketts led the Western Conference in scoring for defencemen and finished second in the WHL with 64 points (12g-52a) in 62 games played. Hicketts averaged 1.03 points per game, which was second in the league for D-men. The 5-8, 175 lb blueliner set the Royals’ single season record for most assists with 52 and also recorded the franchise mark for most powerplay assists by a defender in a campaign with 27. He is the first Royal and third player in franchise history to be named to a WHL All-Star Team.

In January, Hicketts, along with Royals’ Head Coach Dave Lowry helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2015 World Junior Championships. In seven tournament games with Team Canada, Hicketts recorded three assists to go along with a plus-3 rating and two penalty minutes. Hicketts also skated in two games for Team WHL in this year’s SUBWAY Super Series against Team Russia and registered one goal and one assist.

Before the start of this season, the product of Kamloops, BC signed a three-year entry level contract as a free agent with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Detroit Red Wings.


The Royals will have home ice advantage in the first round of the 2015 WHL Playoffs vs. the Prince George Cougars, with Game 1 & 2 of the best-of-seven series occurring at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Game 1 will take place on Friday and Game 2 on Saturday. Puck drop for both contests is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Individual playoff tickets, starting at $13.00, are now on sale at the Select Your Tickets Box Office located at the arena, over the phone at 250-220-7777 or online at www.selectyourtickets.com.  

WHL COMPLETES 2015 BANTAM DRAFT LOTTERY

WHL COMPLETES 2015 BANTAM DRAFT LOTTERY
Spokane Chiefs to pick first in 2015 WHL Bantam Draft

Calgary, AB – The WHL Bantam Draft Lottery was held today at the WHL Office in Calgary to determine the order of the first six selections in the first round of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.
The WHL Bantam Draft Lottery involved the six non-playoff teams (Spokane (from Saskatoon), Lethbridge, Vancouver, Moose Jaw (from Kamloops), Prince Albert and Moose Jaw) from the 2014-15 season.  A team could only move up a maximum of two positions in the Bantam Draft. 
The Lottery selection process was performed by Katelyn Dawson from KPMG. The 2015 WHL Bantam Draft will be held in Calgary, AB, on Thursday, May 7, 2015.

A Spokane Chiefs ball was drawn, meaning the order of the first round of the draft remains unchanged and the Chiefs will pick first overall. The Lethbridge Hurricanes will have the second selection, the Vancouver Giants will select third, the Moose Jaw Warriors have the fourth selection, the Prince Albert Raiders will select fifth, and the Moose Jaw Warriors will also have the sixth overall selection.

The order of the second round and all other rounds will be the inverse order of final 2014-15 WHL regular season standings.

Players eligible for the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft will be 2000-born players who reside in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

2015 WHL BANTAM DRAFT 1st ROUND ORDER OF SELECTION
Following is the order of selection for the 1st round of the WHL Bantam Draft:

#  CLUB                                   TRADED TO
1. Saskatoon Blades                 Spokane
2. Lethbridge Hurricanes
3. Vancouver Giants
4. Kamloops Blazers                 Moose Jaw
5. Prince Albert Raiders
6. Moose Jaw Warriors
7.  Tri-City Americans
8.  Prince George Cougars
9.  Spokane Chiefs
10.  Swift Current Broncos
11.  Edmonton Oil Kings
12.  Kootenay Ice                      Saskatoon
13.  Victoria Royals
14.  Regina Pats
15.  Seattle Thunderbirds
16.  Red Deer Rebels
17.  Portland Winterhawks         Forfeit
18.  Medicine Hat Tigers
19.  Everett Silvertips                Saskatoon
20.  Calgary Hitmen
21.  Kelowna Rockets               Prince Albert
22.  Brandon Wheat Kings

2nd ROUND AND ALL SUBSEQUENT ROUNDS ORDER OF SELECTION

Following is the order of selection for the 2nd and all subsequent rounds of the WHL Bantam Draft:
(Please note that traded picks are not indicated)

1. Saskatoon Blades
2. Lethbridge Hurricanes
3. Vancouver Giants
4. Kamloops Blazers
5. Tri-City Americans
6. Prince Albert Raiders
7.  Prince George Cougars
8.  Moose Jaw Warriors
9.  Spokane Chiefs
10.  Swift Current Broncos
11.  Edmonton Oil Kings
12.  Kootenay Ice
13.  Victoria Royals
14.  Regina Pats
15.  Seattle Thunderbirds
16.  Red Deer Rebels
17.  Portland Winterhawks
18.  Medicine Hat Tigers
19.  Everett Silvertips
20.  Calgary Hitmen
21.  Kelowna Rockets
22.  Brandon Wheat Kings


-30-

Monday 23 March 2015

DAVE LOWRY NAMED HEAD COACH OF TEAM CANADA’S WORLD JUNIOR TEAM

ROYALS’ DAVE LOWRY NAMED HEAD COACH OF TEAM CANADA’S WORLD JUNIOR TEAM

For Immediate Release
Monday, March 23, 2015

Victoria, BC- The Victoria Royals are proud to announce that Head Coach Dave Lowry has been named the bench boss for Team Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships taking place December 26th, 2015 – January 5th, 2016 in Helsinki, Finland.

Lowry was a member of the gold medal winning team at the 2015 World Junior Championships in Montreal, QUE, and Toronto, ON, where he served as an assistant coach. Lowry was also the head coach for Team WHL in the 2014 SUBWAY Super Series against Team Russia.

It’s a great opportunity for Dave, and he’s earned it,” said Royals’ General Manager Cameron Hope. “I think Hockey Canada sees the same qualities that we do in Dave, including his ability to get the players focused on details, and pull them together. These are important things in a tournament format such as the World Junior Hockey Championships.”

In his third season with the Royals, Lowry led the club to a second place finish in the BC Division with a 39-29-3-1 record.

Since joining the Royals for the 2012-13 season, Lowry has posted a 118-75-6-7 regular season record as Victoria’s bench boss. In the eight year history of the franchise, Lowry holds the all-time record for most wins. He also holds the franchise mark in playoff victories with seven.

Last season, Lowry was the recipient of the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s Coach of the Year after he guided Victoria to a franchise record 48-20-1-3 regular season. Lowry led the Royals to numerous franchise records including wins (48) and points (100) to break the records he established during his first season with the club. He also guided the franchise to its first playoff series victory.

The Royals will have home ice advantage in the first round of the 2015 WHL Playoffs vs. the Prince George Cougars, with Game 1 & 2 of the best-of-seven series occurring at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Game 1 will take place on Friday, March 27th and Game 2 on Saturday, March 28th. Puck drop for both contests is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Individual playoff tickets, starting at $13.00, are now on sale at the Select Your Tickets Box Office located at the arena, over the phone at 250-220-7777 or online at www.selectyourtickets.com.  


Sunday 22 March 2015

ROYALS AWARDS CEREMONY

ROYALS CAP OFF REGULAR SEASON WITH AWARDS CEREMONY
Joe Hicketts takes home 2014-15 National Bank Financial Most Valuable Player award.

For Immediate Release
Sunday, March 22, 2015

Victoria, BC- The Victoria Royals 2014-15 regular season was acknowledged at the fourth annual Awards Ceremony on Sunday afternoon at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

This year’s event included New York Rangers’ executive Mike Barnett and BC Minister of Finance Michael de Jong as special guest speakers. 

Cliff Lequesne, from 100.3 The Q!, hosted the event that saw the organization hand out 10 awards in total and celebrate the personal achievements of the Royals’ players on-and-off of the ice.

Joe Hicketts was chosen as the team’s most valuable player as he took home the National Bank Financial MVP Award. The product of Kamloops, BC also earned the Wilson’s Transportation Top Defenceman award and The Keg Fans’ Choice award, which was chosen by a vote on www.victoriaroyals.com.

Austin Carroll was presented with the Mayfair Optometric Top Scorer Award as he finished the season with 77 points (38g-39a).

Tyler Soy was chosen as the Coca-Cola Unsung Hero award, while Coleman Vollrath was named the winner of the Investors Group Community Service award.

Logan Fisher was the recipient of the 2 Burley Men Hardest Worker award. The Wallace Driving School Most Dedicated Player award was given to Travis Brown.

Ralph Jarratt was named the winner of the Ron Neal Rookie of the Year, while Jared Dmytriw took home the Live Virtual Help Desk Scholastic Player of the Year award.


The Royals will have home ice advantage in the first round of the 2015 WHL Playoffs vs. the Prince George Cougars, with Game 1 & 2 of the best-of-seven series occurring at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Game 1 will take place on Friday, March 27th and Game 2 on Saturday, March 28th. Puck drop for both contests is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Individual playoff tickets, starting at $13.00, are now on sale at the Select Your Tickets Box Office located at the arena, over the phone at 250-220-7777 or online at www.selectyourtickets.com.