Dante Hannoun Signs

ROYALS SIGN DANTE HANNOUN

Victoria inks 2013 WHL Bantam Draft first round pick.

For Immediate Release

Friday, September 13, 2013

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals are proud to announce that the club has signed forward Dante Hannoun (ha-NOON) to a Western Hockey League (WHL) Standard Player Agreement.

Hannoun was selected by the Royals with the club’s first round, 11^th overall, pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. The 5-6, 145 lb forward was recently shortlisted for Team BC’s Under-16 team in advance of the 2013 Western Canada Under-16 Challenge Cup. Hannoun will suit up for the Greater Vancouver Canadians of the BC Major Midget Hockey League during the 2013-14 season.

“We are very pleased to have signed Dante,” Royals’ General Manager Cameron Hope said. “Dante is a dynamic and intelligent hockey player. We are excited to move into the future with Dante as a part of our team.”

The Delta, BC native spent the 2012-13 season as the captain of the North Shore Winter Club Hawks of the Pacific Coast Bantam Hockey League (PCBHL). With North Shore, Hannoun racked up 151 points (63g-88a) and 46 penalty minutes in 63 games played last season in addition to a plus-114 rating. Hannoun helped lead the Hawks to the 2013 BC Provincial Bantam Tier 1 Championship and a silver medal at the 2013 Western Canada Bantam Championship. Hannoun also helped the Hawks to a gold medal at the John Reid Memorial Tournament where he notched 11 points (6g-5a) in six games. Selected to participate in the 2013 Under-16 BC Cup, Hannoun notched one goal for Team Flyers en route to the BC Cup title.

We are Royal Blue, are you? 2013-14 season tickets, mini-plans, and individual tickets are now on sale! Guarantee yourself the best seats at the best prices by calling 250-220-7889, visiting www.victoriaroyals.com, or heading down to the Royals ticketing office at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

Royals News: Fronk, Walker Back & $1 Coupon!

Royals forward Ben Walker has returned to the club after attending the NHL's Minnesota Wild Rookie Camp.  Three players have moved onto main NHL Camps, Logan Nelson (Buffalo), Austin Carroll (Anaheim) and Keegan Kanzig (Calgary).

The IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) has ruled that Victoria’s Import Draft selection Jiri Fronk’s contract, is still valid with his Czech Republic club and will not be joining the Royals.

The Royals next pre-season contest is Saturday (Sept 14th) at the SOFMC against the Giants at 1:35.  Tickets are just $5, and coupons for a $1 hot dog, popcorn or pop are available for download at:  http://www.thezone.fm/events/#royalsexhibition

Downloadable coupon PDF direct: $1 Coupon!!

Import Jiri Fronk not coming

Royals 2013 Euro draft selection Jiri Fronk will not be coming to Victoria:

http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/iihf-ruling-causes-royals-to-lose-import-draft-pick-1.621419

Here's Cleve Dheensaw of the Times Colonist story:


The Victoria Royals lost to the KLH Chomutov Under-20s without a puck being fired.

The International Ice Hockey Federation has dealt the Royals a boardroom setback, and with it the loss of their 2013 import draft pick Jiri Fronk.

The IIHF has ruled Fronk’s contract with Czech club KLH Chomutov is valid and the Royals have no claims to him despite selecting the 19-year-old forward 31st over the summer in the annual draft of European juniors conducted by the Canadian Hockey League.

“It was a reasoned written decision. That’s that,” said Victoria GM Cam Hope.

“It’s obviously disappointing but there’s nothing we can do about it. We have to respect the process because we rely on it both ways.”

Each North American major junior team is allowed two European imports on the roster. This leaves the Royals with only goaltender Patrik Polivka, also from the Czech Republic, with the other spot open. Making a trade to fill their suddenly-open second European spot — as the Royals did last season in acquiring eventual 2012-13 team MVP Alex Gogolev of Russia from the Calgary Hitmen — is an option. But Hope said that depends on availability and circumstance.

The graduated Gogolev, now skating as a pro in a KHL training camp, was acquired after Royals 2012 European draft pick Rasmus Bengtsson, a Swedish junior national team blue-liner and second-round NHL draft pick of the Florida Panthers, decided to play in the Junior A USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

Right now, the Royals are preparing on forging ahead with their current second Euro roster slot vacant.

“This shifts our depth chart and gives someone else [in training camp] a chance,” said Hope.

The six-foot-four Fronk had 10 goals and 24 points in 40 games last season for the KLH Chomutov U-20s. But he became a hotter commodity with a breakout summer on the Czech junior national team with six goals in eight games, causing KLH Chomutov to become more adamant about keeping him.

There’s only so much due diligence that can be done long-distance before the European draft, which can be a real crapshoot.

“We do as much homework as we can but you can only do so much from so far away. You have to rely on the players’ representatives,” said Hope.

“Every once in a while, there’s a glitch and these things pop up. That’s one of the risks of the European draft.”

The Royals conclude their WHL pre-season with games against the Vancouver Giants on Saturday afternoon at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre and Sunday afternoon in Ladner.

LOOSE PUCKS: Tickets for Saturday’s pre-season game (1:30 p.m.) are $5 … The Royals will be hosting their annual season ticket pick-up night on Tuesday. Season ticket holders can come to the Memorial Centre between 6 and 8 p.m. to relieve their tickets and enjoy complimentary appetizers and beverages.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com

Twitter.com/tc_vicsports

© Copyright 2013

Press Release: Royals entertain Giants

ROYALS WELCOME GIANTS FOR PRE-SEASON HOME DEBUT

Victoria hosts Vancouver Saturday afternoon; skate with the players post-game!

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals welcome the Vancouver Giants to Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre this Saturday, September 14^th, for the team’s first 2013 WHL Pre-Season contest on Vancouver Island. Puck drop is scheduled for 1:35 p.m.

Tickets to Saturday’s contest are available for just $5 in-person at the Select Your Tickets Box Office, online at www.selectyourtickets.com or over the phone at (250)220-7777. Partial proceeds from every ticket sold will benefit the Times Colonist Raise-a-Reader program.

Following the game, fans are invited to join Royals’ players for a post-game skate! Participants are encouraged to bring their skates and helmets to take part in this event, but equipment rentals will be available by donation in support of the GoodLife Marathon and its partner charities KidSport, Times Colonise Raise-a-Reader and the GoodLife Kids Foundation. Coupons for a $1 hot dog, popcorn or pop will also be available for download at www.thezone.fm.

During the first intermission, Tim Bits Minor Hockey presented by 100.3 The Q! will feature players from Victoria Racquet Club. The second intermission will see fans compete in the GoodLife Fitness Sumo Circuit where one fan will win a three month gym membership to GoodLife Fitness!

The End of the Roll 50/50 will benefit Peninsula Minor Hockey on Saturday afternoon while proceeds from the Old House Village Chuck-a-Puck will go towards local causes. The winner of the Old House Village Chuck-a-Puck will go home with a one-night stay and spa treatment for two courtesy of Old House Village in the second intermission!

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 located at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

4 Royals off to NHL Rookie Camps

ROYALS’ FOURSOME TO ATTEND NHL ROOKIE CAMPS

Victoria’s Carroll, Kanzig, Nelson and Walker all off to pursue NHL dreams.

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals Hockey Club today announced that forwards Austin Carroll, Logan Nelson and Ben Walker as well as defenceman Keegan Kanzig will all attend National Hockey League (NHL) rookie camps this week.

Austin Carroll

Carroll will attend the Anaheim Ducks’ rookie camp as an invitee. The camp will begin on September 5^th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. The Ducks’ rookie camp will wrap up on September 9^th with the SoCal Futures Game at the Toyota Sports Center when Anaheim will face the Los Angeles Kings’ prospects.

The 6-3, 214 lb winger participated in the Calgary Flames’ 2013 Development Camp earlier this summer. Over the past two seasons with the Royals, Carroll has appeared in 129 regular season games and has posted 62 points (23g-39a) to go along with 232 penalty minutes. In eight career post-season games with Victoria, the Scottsdale, AZ native has notched three goals and one assist.

Keegan Kanzig

Kanzig will skate for the Calgary Flames in the 2013 Young Stars Classic from September 5^th-9^th as part of the club’s rookie camp. The annual Young Stars Classic is a round-robin tournament held in Penticton, BC that features prospects from the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks, Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames.

The Athabasca, AB native heads to Penticton after he was selected in the third round, 67^th overall, by the Flames in the 2013 NHL Draft. The 6-5, 238 lb rearguard has spent two seasons with Victoria for a total of 133 games with nine assists and 225 penalty minutes. Kanzig has also played in 10 post-season games where he has put up one goal and 18 minutes in penalties.

Logan Nelson

Nelson will compete for the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013 NHL Prospect Tournament held from September 5^th-9^th at the Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, MI. The tournament will feature top prospects from the Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres.

The Rogers, MN native was Buffalo’s fifth round, 133^rd overall, selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-1, 181 lb centre has skated for the Royals in 120 contests over the past two seasons and has put up 105 points (37g-68a) and 111 penalty minutes over that span. In 10 WHL post-season games, Nelson has registered 10 points (2g-8a) and 12 penalty minutes.

Ben Walker

Walker will also attend the 2013 NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, but as an invitee for the Minnesota Wild. The Edina, MN product was also invited to the Wild’s 2013 Development Camp earlier this summer.

Walker, who joined the team in November of 2011, has skated in 105 games for Victoria and has tallied 86 points (27g-59a) as well as 81 penalty minutes. The 5-11, 181 lb winger has collected nine points (4g-5a) and four minutes in penalties in the playoffs with the Royals.

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 located at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

Recap: Vic 3 - Tri City 2

Trent Lofthouse scored twice including the winner as the Victoria Royals beat the Tri City Americans 3-2 Sunday at Everett’s Pre-Season Classic Tournament.

Royals celebrate the win.

“Thought our guys played pretty solid…they played hard, competed hard and as a group they did a lot of good things today.” – Head Coach Dave Lowry

It was the clubs third game in 3 days, improving to 1-1-0-1 in the pre-season.  All contests were one goal games starting Friday with a 2-1 loss at Everett, followed by a 6-5 shoot out loss to Seattle Saturday.

“It gives us some confidence moving closer to the regular season…it’s gives us a little bit to build on…” said 20 year old forward Ben Walker, who hopes to get some good looks at the Traverse City Prospects tournament on an invite from the Minnesota Wild,

“A few practices will help getting the communication going, and learning everybody’s style - especially the new guys.”

The Royals went with netminder Patrik Polivka and outshot the Americans 34-23.  Victoria went 1 for 6 on the power play, while Tri City went 1 / 5.

Soy (2a) drives the net

Brian Williams scored both goals for the Americans, and rookie Ty Comrie a pair of helpers with his older brother Eric going the distance in net.

15yr old (late birthday) Matthew Campese scored his first exhibition goal in a Royals jersey, and also picked up an assist.

“I wanted to get the monkey off the back sooner or later, and to get it today was really nice…”  said a pumped up Campese, who’s pass deflected off a defender past Comrie,

“…not how I imaged it though.” he grinned, trying to improve his chances of making the club. 

“I hope so, taking nothing for granted…it would be a huge honour to keep playing with the team and I hope it comes to that.”

The other rookie with 2 points was 16yr old Tyler Soy who chipped in with a pair of helpers, now with 3 assists in 2 exhibition games.

“Tyler’s (Soy) a guy that when the puck’s on his stick he can make plays, and make things happen…” said Lowry

Trent Lofthouse playing in the rink where he played for a season and a half as a Silvertip, has scored 3 goals in his last two games.

“The puck was bouncing my, once I got the first one it just kept rolling…it was a good team effort for sure…” said the lanky 6’3 Lofthouse.

“He’s (Lofthouse) going to have to score, play and skate – and he did that tonight…” said Lowry.  “…he’s a guy that can shoot the puck well, he hit the holes and generated some chances.”

Victoria dressed 5 rookies in Regan Nagy (16yr), Matthew Campese (15yr – late), Landon Welykholowa (17yr), Matthew Dykstra (16yr), and Tyler Soy (16yr).

“It was good that we dressed a real young line up, as with that, comes the enthusiasm…”  said Lowry.

With 29 players on the roster, the Royals scratched: Jared Dmytriw and Matthew Phillips, Steven Hodges, Brandon Magee, Logan Nelson, Austin Carroll, Kolton Dixon, Chaz Reddekopp and Michael Herringer.

Both Dmytriw and Phillips won’t play as 15 year olds, bringing the total down to 27.

“We have an idea with a couple guys what we’ll be doing,” said Lowry when asked about trimming the roster, “…some guys are making it tough and they’re earning the opportunity to stay and play.”

Lofthouse (3g), Soy (3a) now lead the club in exhibition scoring for Victoria.

Up next, the Royals will face the Giants at the SOFMC for their only home pre-season date Saturday Sept. 14th at 1:35pm and wrap up the 5 game exhibition schedule the following day against Vancouver in Ladner at 2pm.

By Marlon Martens


Victoria Royals 3 at Tri-City Americans 2 - Status: Final
Sunday, September 1, 2013 - Comcast Arena - Everett, WA

Victoria 1 1 1 - 3
Tri-City 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period-
1, Tri-City, Williams 2 (Comrie), 0:17.
2, Victoria, Campese 1 (Soy, Cote), 16:13.

Penalties-Sauer T.c (hooking), 6:51; Dykstra Vic (hooking), 17:14.

2nd Period-
3, Victoria, Lofthouse 2   12:44 (PP).
4, Tri-City, Williams 3 (Topping, Comrie), 19:32 (PP).

Penalties-Cote Vic (delay of game), 0:57; Gagnon Vic (elbowing), 5:41; Southam T.c (tripping), 11:33; James T.c (holding), 13:16; Fushimi Vic (hooking), 18:38; Walker Vic (roughing), 19:14.

3rd Period-
5, Victoria, Lofthouse 3 (Soy, Campese), 5:15.

Penalties-Crunk Vic (roughing), 8:12; Hamonic T.c (roughing), 8:12; James T.c (too many men), 13:26; Topping T.c (boarding), 13:59; Carlo T.c (tripping), 15:13.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 11-6-17-34.
Tri-City 8-8-7-23.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 1 / 6; Tri-City 1 / 5.

Goalies-
Victoria, Polivka 1-1-0-0 (23 shots-21 saves).
Tri-City, Comrie 0-1-0-0 (34 shots-31 saves).

A-0
Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Andrew Wilk (80).
Linesmen-Jacob Hill (122).