Victoria Royals name Dan Price as new head coach

Victoria Royals announced that Dan Price has been promoted from assistant to head coach.

In a press conference on Monday, President and General Manager Cam Hope revealed the coaching change to media.

“In a way, the path to being a head coach with our club began when we hired Dan last season. He has an exceptional set of skills, and it was clear to us that he was destined to be a head coach in the WHL and just needed an opportunity,” President and General Manger Cameron Hope said. “We did look at other candidates, and we took careful steps in doing our due diligence. In the end, Dan emerged as our top choice. His knowledge, professionalism, and the manner in which he approaches the game and our players, makes him the perfect fit for the Victoria Royals.”

Price, 42, spent the 2016-2017 season as an assistant to Dave Lowry, who left Victoria for the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.

Royals fans got a taste of Price as head coach during his short stint last season when Lowry

A former lawyer, Price spent time most recently at the University of Toronto as both Assistant Coach and Manager of Athletic Recruitment. Prior to U of T, he worked as an assistant coach for the WHL’s Tri-City Americans (2012-2014), and as an assistant coach (2006-2008) and associate coach (2008-2009) for the Chilliwack Bruins.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to take the next step in my coaching career with this organization,” Price said. “I am looking forward to working with Cameron, our players and the rest of the staff to continue the winning culture that has been established the past five seasons.”

One of three announcements

The club also made two more announcements: Doug Bodger will be returning as Assistant Coach and Ryan Guenter will be the new Head Scout.

Bodger, an NHL veteran, joined the team in September 2016.

Both the Times Colonist and Chek News initially reported Price’s appointment on Sunday evening. However, the club did not comment until the announcement on Monday.