Training camp is underway in Victoria, and with 66 players on the ice and major roster turnover from the offseason, the Royals are wasting no time building toward a new WHL season.
Like many clubs across the league, Victoria enters camp with a different look due to NCAA rule changes that allow players to retain college eligibility even after playing in the WHL.
The Royals saw several departures over the summer, including Cole Reschny, Keaton Verhoeff, Teydon Trembecky, Justin Kipkie, and Nate Misskey.
The roster turnover has left room for both fresh faces and veteran leadership. Victoria added 20-year-old centre Roan Woodward from Edmonton, goaltender Ethan Eskit from Brandon, and 17-year-old Ukrainian forward Mykola Kosarev, who was taken 55th overall in the CHL import draft.
Also joining the mix is 16-year-old Cowichan Valley product Eli McKamey, one of the most highly regarded rookies in this year’s class.
Veterans like Kamloops native Reggie Newman and Victoria product Seth Fryer are set to anchor the group.
Newman, entering his fifth season with the Royals, has already skated in 232 games, ranking 15th in franchise history. If he plays all 68 this year, he would move into the top five all-time for games played.
"I am really grateful to be a part of this organization. They've treated me so well since I was 16-years-old, so I just want to continue to do my best here” Newman said after the firs intra-squad game on Friday.
With so many changes, he knows opportunity is there for younger players.
"I remember coming to my first camp here and the older guys showed me the ropes, so I want to be offer the same thing to the kids this year," Newman said. "All of the guys had a really good off-season, and we're collectively hoping to get to the next level," Newman said.
That next level, which Newman mentioned, will be to top last season's run, where the Royals made it to the Western Conference semifinals before falling in six games to the Spokane Chiefs.
Newman also brought valuable experience into camp after attending the Toronto Maple Leafs development camp this summer.
“Everyone’s even bigger, faster, stronger over there. So you know, just talking to the coaching staff up there, getting every little bit of information I can. It was really good experience all around, a really good week,” he said.
The Royals will also be leaning on the next wave of talent to help fill the void left from off-season departures.
Forwards Ludovic Perreault and Jacob Schwartz, both first-round picks in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, will push for spots after dressing in games as affiliates last season. The pair also participated in Hockey Canada's U17 development camp over the summer.
Head Coach James Patrick said training camp is about identifying who rises above the crowd.
“I look for … something (that) jumps out at you,” Patrick said. “Who has the puck, who wants the puck and who is willing to go get it … I notice that in training camp.”
Players are split into four squads this weekend, with scrimmages running through Sunday morning’s showcase finale, which will begin at 10 a.m.
McKamey (injury), Kosarev (immigration), and returning players Cosmo Wilson (injury) and Logan Pickford (injury) were not able to participate.
The Royals then turn to four preseason games in September, before opening the regular season at home against the WHL’s newest franchise, the Penticton Vees, on Sept. 19.
