Cowichan Bay hockey phenom Eli McKamey and the WHL's Victoria Royals will open their pre-season in the Cowichan Valley this September.
The Royals will play Landon DuPont and the Everett Silvertips at Kerry Park Recreation Centre on Friday, Sept. 12 and then again at the Cowichan Community Centre on Saturday, Sept. 13.
DuPont is just the second-ever player — and first defender — to be granted exceptional status in the WHL. He won that league's 2024/25 Rookie of the Year award as well as the CHL's Rookie of the Year honours.
Both players are projected to be selected in the top 10 at the 2027 NHL Draft.
"We are ecstatic that this is happening at our home rink and to have Eli back on his home ice," said Kerry Park Hockey Association officials.
McKamey was drafted by the Royals 35th overall in the second round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft but after committing to playing Division 1 hockey at the University of North Dakota, he opted to join the BCHL's Penticton Vees instead.
McKamey became the first player to be granted exceptional status in the BCHL and played the 2024/25 season with the Vees where he posted 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) in 52 games played as a 15 year old.
Prior to that, McKamey scored 48 points (23 goals, 25 assists) for Shawnigan Lake School's U18 Prep team as a 14 year old.
Following the Penticton organization's jump to the WHL, McKamey signed a WHL scholarship and development agreement with Victoria, the organization that held his WHL playing rights.
“Eli has demonstrated for a number of years now that he is a top player in his age group,” said Royals general manager Jake Heisinger. ”Being able to add a player of Eli’s calibre to our team is very exciting for our organization. We are very excited to welcome Eli back to the island and are thrilled to have him and his family join our program.”
The Victoria Royals will play their home opener on Friday, Sept. 19 at the Save-On Foods Memorial Centre against the expansion Penticton Vees.
