Two Victoria Royals are headed for Team Canada development camps.
Forward Cole Reschny is vying for a roster spot for the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, whilst defenceman Keaton Verhoeff will be considered for the 2024 World Under-17 Championships.
Seventeen-year-old Reschny enjoyed success during his first season with the Royals in 2023-24, tallying 21 goals and 38 assists for 59 points in 61 games played. His 59 points were the second most by any Royal during the season, helping him reach fifth in scoring amongst rookies in the WHL.
The Macklin, Sask, local represented Canada at the 2023 World U17 Championship for Canada Red in November last year. During the tournament, Reschny tallied three goals and five assists for eight points during seven games played.
The 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which is an annual international U18 tournament, will take place from Aug. 5 to 10 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alta. Canada will play against Switzerland, Slovakia and Sweden in the round-robin portion of the tournament.
Sixteen-year-old Verhoeff - who was the Royals fourth overall selection in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft - will attend the Hockey Canada U17 camp that runs from July 18 to 23. Players who are in attendance will look to secure their spot on Team Canada’s World Under-17 Championship roster, which takes place from Nov. 1 to 9 in Sarnia, Ont.
During the 2023-24 season, Verhoeff appeared in 22 games for Kelowna's RINK Hockey Academy U18 team and 12 games for the Royals. He registered two assists with the Royals, and appeared in all four playoff games.
Verhoeff, who is from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., represented Canada on the international stage earlier this year in the 2024 Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea. In four games played, he registered one goal and added two assists for three points.
