The Victoria Royals pulled off a surprising trade on Monday, reacquiring forward Noah Gregor from the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for forward Ryan Peckford.
The Royals also sent their fourth-round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft to the Warriors in exchange for an eighth-round pick.
Noah Gregor
A native of Beaumont, AB, Gregor has recorded 36 points (14g-22a) in 30 games with the league-leading Warriors.
Gregor was initially drafted by the Royals in the third round, 55th overall, in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. He was traded to the Warriors in 2014 in a deal that saw Victoria receive defenceman Travis Brown.
Gregor was a member of Team WHL last month as they took on Russia at the 2017 CIBC Canada/Russia Series.
Last season, Gregor finished fourth in team scoring with Moose Jaw as he registered 27 goals and 34 assists for 61 points in just 52 contests. During the 2015-16 season, Gregor tallied a career-high 73 points (28g-45) as he finished the year as the Eastern Conference recipient for the rookie of the year.
The 6-0, 188 lb Gregor was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round, 111th overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
“We have some history with Noah, and we have watched him develop into an exceptional player in Moose Jaw,” President and General Manager Cameron Hope said. “We are excited to have him come back to Victoria and join our team.”
Gregor has also suited up for Hockey Canada as he was a member of the Under-18 team at the 2016 U-18 Hockey Championships.
The 1998-born forward has played in 164 career WHL games, all with the Warriors, where he has collected 176 points (71g-105a). Gregor also brings with him playoff experience as he has played in 17 career post-season games over two seasons with Moose Jaw and tallied 11 points (5g-6a).
Ryan Peckford
Peckford, a product of Stony Plain, AB, was in his third season with Royals and had recorded 27 points (13g-14a) in 33 games.
The 6-1, 197 lb forward has spent his entire WHL career with the Royals (2015-2017) and has tallied 72 points (34g-38a) in 140 regular season games. Peckford has also suited up in 19 career playoff contests with Victoria and has collected four penalty minutes.
“It is difficult when a player like Ryan leaves your team in a trade. Ryan and his family have been a part of our family since 2014,” Hope said. “We wish Ryan all the best. He is a very good player and a great young man. He was a true Royal, on and off the ice, during his time in Victoria.”
Peckford was selected by the Royals in the second round, 31st overall, at the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.
Victoria will return home on Saturday, December 16th as they take on the Vancouver Giants in their last home game before the holiday break.
