Euro Draft Selections

 The Victoria Royals made two selections in the 2012 Euro Draft, taking a netminder 14th overall from the Czech Republic, and drafting a 6'2 defenseman 74th overall from Sweden.

Royals President/Alt Governor Dave Dakers on making their first pick Polivka, Patrik:

 

14 Polivka, Patrik  G  Czech Rep,  Mar 04/94     6.00     164     Plzen Jr.

Dave Dakers on their 2nd round pick, Bengtsson, Rasmus 74th overall:

 
74 Bengtsson, Rasmus LD   Landskrona, Swe  May 14/93  6.02  192  Muskegon Lumberjacks

Rasmus Bengtsson

Dakers comments on how these selections will affect their current roster:

 Press Release:

ROYALS SELECT TWO PLAYERS IN 2012 CHL IMPORT DRAFT

Victoria selects a Czech goaltender and an NHL drafted Swedish defenceman.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Victoria Royals are proud to announce that they have selected goaltender Patrik Polivka out of the Czech Republic as well as Swedish defenceman Rasmus Bengtsson in today’s 2012 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft.

The Royals took the 6’0”, 168lb goaltender with the 14^th overall pick in the annual draft which includes all three leagues (Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League) in the CHL.

The Plzen, Czech Republic native started 31 games for the HC Plzen U20 team, posting a .917 save percentage to go along with a 3.20 goals against average. Polivka recorded a shutout in his only game with the HC Plzen U18 team and also represented the Czech Republic in international competition as a member of both the country’s U18 and U19 teams last season.

The 2010-11 season saw Polivka record a .922 save percentage and a 2.65 goals against average in 27 games for HC Plzen’s U18 team. The 18-year-old was also a member of the Czech Republic U17 team in 2010-11, competing in two games and posting a 2.79 goals against average in those contests.

Polivka spent the majority of the 2009-10 season with HC Plzen’s U18 squad, appearing in 34 games to record a 2.90 goals against average and .913 save percentage while also helping Plzen’s U16 squad to a league championship. That season, he represented the Czech Republic once again, suiting up for three games with the national U16 team.

The Royals then selected Landskrona, Sweden native and defenceman Rasmus Bengtsson in the second round with the 74^th overall pick. Bengtsson, chosen by the Florida Panthers in the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft with the 59^th overall pick, spent the majority of last season as a member of the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

With Muskegon, the 6’2”, 196lb defenceman notched 10 points (3g-7a) over 34 games played. Bengtsson also played 18 games in the 2011-12 season for Rogle of the Allsvenskan league, compiling three assists through 18 games. Prior to being promoted to the Allsvenskan league, he was a member of Rogle’s J20 team where he recorded 11 points (3g-8a) in 15 games played. Bengtsson was also named to the national junior team last season, playing five games for Team Sweden.

In the 2010-11 season, Bengtsson suited up for 45 games with Rogle, amassing nine points (2g-7a) in 45 games played while also competing in 17 games for Rogle’s J20 team. Internationally, Bengtsson represented Sweden as a member of the country’s U18 roster. The defenceman recorded four assists in six games at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and 12 points (3g-9a) in 19 additional games of international competition.

The 19-year-old Florida draftee spent the bulk of 2009-10 with Rogle’s J20 team, competing in 42 games and recording 23 points (3g-20a). Bengtsson represented Sweden as a member of the U17 roster, logging six games at the World U17 Hockey Championship where he netted three points (1g-2a).

Royals List D John Draeger

The Royals listed 6'2 defenseman John Draeger today, who was drafted by Minnesota in the 3rd round, 68th overall.
 






Here's the official press release:

The Victoria Royals would like to congratulate John Draeger, a member of Victoria’s 50-man Player Protected List, who was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the third round with the 68th overall pick today at the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Fairbault, MN native recently completed his senior season with the Shattuck St. Mary’s Midget team where he notched 41 points (11g-30a) over 57 games played. The 6’2”, 185lb defenceman has spent the past three seasons with the Shattuck program, notching 11 points (3g-8a) in 54 games with the Midget squad in 2010-11 and 10 points (1g-9a) for the prep school’s U16 program during the 2009-10 campaign.

Each member club of the Western Hockey League (WHL) has a 50-man Player Protected List that includes current roster players as well as players that may play for that club in the future. Players “listed” or signed to a team’s protected list will play for that team if they wish to play at the Major Junior level.

NHL Draft: Hodges & Nelson

Two Victoria Royals forwards were selected in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft

Steven Hodges

Steven Hodges by the Florida Panthers in the 3rd round 84th overall, and Logan Nelson by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round, 133rd overall.

Wes Myron from Victoria, who played for the Grizzlies was drafted by Vancouver in the 6th round 177 overall.

 

Steven becomes the first ever Victoria Royals’ player to be drafted to the NHL.

“I’m very excited to be drafted by the Florida Panthers, it’s taken a lot of hard work but I also have to stay level,” Hodges said, “there’s still a lot of hard work ahead of me…my goal is to play in the NHL and I’ll keep pursuing that dream."

Hodges reacts to being selected:


Hodges on how he found out:



Hodges on being the first Royal taken:



Hodges on what's next:


Logan Nelson, who has received an invite to the 2012 US National Junior Evaluation Camp in August, became the second Royals player to be drafted into the NHL.

"This is just a special day for my family and me," Nelson said. "To see the emotion and reactions on the faces of families and friends when I was chosen is a moment I'll never forget. The Buffalo Sabres are a first class organization and I am excited to be a part of their program."

Marc Habscheid Takes New Executive Role

The Victoria Royals are in the market for a new Head Coach and General Manager as Marc Habscheid takes on a new executive role within GSL to assist GSL in developing other hockey related businesses. 

They'll be announcing the new Coach and General Manager within the coming weeks.

Marc Habscheid said team owner Graham Lee offered him the opportunity:

 
Cliff LeQuesne, Q! Morning Show news reports:



The Victoria Royals issued this Press Release:


Friday, June 22, 2012
Marc Habscheid To Take on Executive Role with GSL Holdings Ltd.

Victoria, BC - GSL Holdings Ltd (parent company of RG Properties Ltd. and the Victoria Royals) is pleased to announce that Marc Habscheid will be taking on a new executive role within GSL to assist GSL in developing other hockey related businesses.

At present, GSL owns Officepools.com (the world’s largest on-line hockey pool site), Planet Ice (the largest chain of private community rinks in BC) and Planet Youth Hockey (GSL’s charity youth program helping inner city kids).  Marc will be involved in advising these existing businesses as well as assisting in developing new hockey related business opportunities.  

In taking on this new role within GSL, Marc will be relinquishing his responsibilities with the hockey team. “I am very excited about this new role, it is a great business opportunity,” Habscheid said.  “I have been fortunate to have coached at every level of hockey, and I welcome the opportunity to use my knowledge of the game to work with GSL in their hockey related businesses.  This is a great opportunity for me to get involved in broadening the reach of this great sport, something that I am passionate about.”

Graham Lee, owner of GSL stated that, “I thank Marc for his contributions to the team.   I have been speaking to Marc for a while about this and am looking forward to working directly with him to advance our other hockey related businesses.”

GSL will be announcing the new Coach and General Manager of the Victoria Royals within the coming weeks.

Steven Hodges Pre Draft Interview

I caught up with Royals Forward Steven Hodges and talked about his excitement for the upcoming NHL Draft June 22-23 in Pittsburgh.

He’s ranked 85th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final draft rankings.

After a two week break, he’s been training in Tsawwassen with Giants Strength and Conditioning Coach Ian Gallagher.

While he likes a few NHL teams including the Oilers, growing up he cheered for his Dad’s favourite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Steven is a speedy centerman, a two way player who excels in the face off circle, possesses a scoring a touch and models himself after Dave Bolland.

Steven will take in the draft with his family in Tsawwassen.

Hodges on the upcoming draft:


Hodges on what he's been up to:


Hodges on what type of player the team that drafts him will get:
 

Which team did Hodges cheer for growing up?


Hodges reflects on last season and looks ahead:

WHL Pre Season Schedule

The Victoria Royals will kick off their 2012 pre season schedule in Kamloops August 30th, with a rematch against their first round playoff foes.

The 2012 WHL Pre-Season schedule also features games in 10 communities outside the 22 WHL Club markets, with the Royals hosting two games in Maple Ridge.

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

The full pre season schedule can be found below:

http://whl.ca/uploads/assets/WHL_EN_SITE/WHLDocuments/12-13_WHL_Pre-Season_Schedule_June21.pdf

The WHL news article relating to the pre season:
http://whl.ca/article/2012-whl-pre-season-schedule-announced


The 792 game 2012-13 WHL Regular Season schedule will be released on Wednesday, June 27.

Logan Nelson Invited US Junior Camp

Congrats to Logan Nelson on the invite to the US Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid August 4th.

The Royals issued this press release:

ROYALS’ FORWARD LOGAN NELSON TO PARTICIPATE IN U.S. NATIONAL JUNIOR CAMP

Victoria centre to attend camp in Lake Placid, NY.

Monday, June 18, 2012

The Victoria Royals would like to congratulate forward Logan Nelson on his invite to the 2012 United States National Junior Evaluation Camp.

The Rogers, MN native recently finished his rookie season in Victoria where he enjoyed an impressive campaign that saw him notch 62 points (23G-39A) over 71 games to finish third in team scoring. His 62 points saw the 18-year-old finish tied for fourth in scoring amongst WHL rookie skaters. Nelson also recorded four assists in four games during the 2012 WHL Playoffs.

Eligible for this year’s NHL Entry Draft, Nelson became the first Royals’ player to participate in the NHL Draft Combine during the last week of May.

Before the 6’1”, 178 lb centre signed with Victoria on August 27, 2011, he played one season for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL where he tallied six goals and three assists for nine points over 41 games played.

The 2012 United States National Junior Evaluation Camp runs from August 4-11 in Lake Placid, NY at the Lake Placid Olympic Center. The camp will consist of practices, intra-squad games and international games against Finland and Sweden.