A Victoria Royals fan-favourite heads for Saskatchewan in a trade with Prince Albert announced Thursday.
Dante Hannoun departs Victoria after having played in 286 career regular games over six seasons. The Delta product was originally drafted by the Royals in the first round, 11th overall, in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.
“It is never an easy decision to trade a player who has been with your club since being drafted,” said Cam Hope, general manager. “Dante has been a tremendous player and person for our organization. We thank him for all he has done for our franchise and wish him success in Prince Albert.”
The Victoria Royals acquired 2000-born centre Carson Miller, 1998-born forward Kody McDonald and a third round selection in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft in a trade with the Prince Albert Raiders. Headed to Saskatchewan is 1998-born centre Hannoun along with a fourth and eighth round pick in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft.
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The picks traded to Prince Albert were originally Brandon’s fourth-round selection and the Raiders’ own eighth-round pick that Victoria acquired in previous trades.
Miller, a product of Yorkton, Sask., was selected in the first round, 21st overall, in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. This season he has collected 18 points in 38 games for Prince Albert. In 156 career regular season games he has recorded 20 goals and 27 assists for 47 points.
McDonald returns to the BC Division after being traded to Prince Albert last season from the Prince George Cougars. The Lethbridge, Alta. native has participated in 30 games this season and has registered 18 points. The former second-round pick (24th overall) has played 295 career WHL games split between the Cougars and the Raiders and has scored 81 goals and 93 assists, for 174 points, to go along with 501 minutes in penalties.
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This season, Hannoun leads the Royals in scoring with 36 points and for his career has amassed 248 points. Hannoun sits in the top 10 all-time in several categories for the Royals franchise; tied for fourth in all-time points, fourth place in all-time assists, fifth place for games played and seventh place for goals scored. In the post-season, Hannoun has played in 32 games and has tallied eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points. He sits fourth all-time in playoff scoring for the Royals.
Victoria continues a six-game road trip Friday night against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. local time.
The Royals return home from their longest road trip of the season to face the Kamloops Blazers on Wednesday, Jan. 9. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Select Your Tickets box office, over the phone by calling 250-220-7777, or online at selectyourtickets.com.
c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
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