(Our ongoing series previewing teams for the 2017-18 WHL regular season concludes with a look at the Victoria Royals)
Victoria Royals (2016-17 season: 37-29-5-1-80 points, lost in the first round to the Everett Silvertips)
The Victoria Royals found themselves in tight battle last season, finishing fourth in the BC Division while earning the second wildcard spot to make it into the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. In the first round, Victoria faced a strong Everett Silvertips team who brought a defensive game anchored by the solid goaltending of Carter Hart. Everett clinched the series in a marathon Game 6 in Victoria, which saw the WHL and CHL record for the longest game in history set at 151 minutes and went into the fifth overtime.
Cal Babych scores in quintuple overtime to end the longest game in CHL history and advance the Everett Silvertips to the 2nd round. pic.twitter.com/GXuRIww2xP
— Adam Herman (@AdamZHerman) April 3, 2017
In the offseason following, Head Coach Dave Lowry finally made his move back to the NHL. The successful coach accepted an assistant position with the Los Angeles Kings, after coaching the Royals for five seasons, during which he became the franchise’s winningest coach and led the team to the playoffs each year. Other departures included:
- F- Blake Bargar (’98): trade with Seattle
- D- Marsel Ibragimov (’97): signed with CSKA Moskva of the KHL
- F- Ethan Price (’97): 20-year-old not returning
- D- Loch Morrison (’97): 20-year-old not returning
- F- Jared Dmytriw (’98): trade with Red Deer
- G- Dylan Myskiw (’99): trade with Brandon
- D- Ryan Gagnon: aged out
- F- Jack Walker: aged out
- F- Carter Folk: aged
Two other 20-year-old players remain away from the club. Forward Vladimir Bobylev looks to turn pro with either the Leafs organization or the KHL. Kings draft pick Chaz Reddekopp also remains with the Kings organization after signing a three-year entry-level contract, but is currently listed on the Royals roster.
Entering the 2017-18 season, the consensus break-out player for Victoria is forward Eric Florchuk. After logging 51 games last season, the important minutes will rise for the young centre and he will be given every opportunity to prove himself.
Other young forwards may have a hard time seeing a lot of action, as the club returns four out of five of its top offensive producers from last year. Also added to the mix were a couple of offensive-minded veterans in Yan Khomenko from the Prince George Cougars and Jared Legien from the Kootenay Ice. Both players have shown in preseason that they can still contribute and may be looked back on as silky pickups by team President and General Manager Cameron Hope.
A clear goal for the Royals this coming season is to capture their second divisional title in three years, followed by a deep playoff run. New Head Coach Dan Price will look to his veteran forwards to lead the team and the spotlight is squarely on star Matthew Phillips. After putting up 50 goals last season, Phillips will continue to have the attention of opposing teams. He will have to again show his toughness and creative ability in order to produce similar or better numbers this season. Tyler Soy looks for a bounce-back season after being limited by injuries in 2016-17. When healthy, the Anaheim Ducks draft pick can be a solid goal-scorer. Offensive dynamo Dante Hannoun looked excellent in preseason action and should be poised for his best season to date.
A possible area of concern could be the Royals defence. With longtime blueliner Ryan Gagnon aging out, Marsel Ibragimov moving to the KHL and the possibility of Reddekopp playing in the AHL this year, the younger players will need to step up. Scott Walford will be expected to log important minutes and Ralph Jarratt should develop into a top four role. In an effort to shore up the back end, the Royals made a couple of trades acquiring Anthony Bishop from Seattle and Jared Freadrich from Red Deer. Powerplay minutes will be competitive with this group and the Royals are hoping a true quarterback emerges for the man advantage.
Royals goaltending is once again anchored by Griffen Outhouse. After playing in 63 games last season while posting some top numbers, Outhouse looks to again be a brickhouse for the Royals.
2016-17 Season stats for Griffen Outhouse
| GP | MIN | SH | SAV | GA | GAA | SAV% | W | L | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 3558 | 1998 | 1829 | 169 | 2.85 | 0.915 | 34 | 24 | 4 |
Victoria’s 20-year-old situation is not set, as only Soy and Regan Nagy are currently with the team. With the possibility of Reddekopp staying with the Kings organization, the Royals are liking watching the league moves on overagers. As of now, it seems they are ready to wait, which is understandable considering how important big Chaz is to the team.
The club’s import players are set and this year features two offensive sparks. Igor Martynov (Belarus) has looked sharp so far and joins the Royals after spending last year with the Belarus Under-20 club of the Belarus Extra League. Winger Yan Khomenko (Russia) joins the team after being acquired in a trade with Moose Jaw Warriors. After playing for three teams in two years, Khomenko looks to settle in with the Victoria offense.
The Royals have to feel that this season has the division title within their grasp. Expectations have them making the playoffs yet again, but it remains to be seen how far they can advance in the postseason. Unlike last season, should they find themselves in the middle of the divisional pack again, look for the team to make moves to bolster their lineup to ensure they make some playoff noise.
