The Victoria Royals and Regina Pats struck a deal on Tuesday, sending 18-year-old goaltender Dean McNabb to Saskatchewan.
In exchange, the Royals received both an eighth round pick and a conditional fifth round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Regina Pats will also get the Royals’ ninth round pick in 2019.
McNabb, a native of Davidson, SK has made one appearance this season where he stopped all three shots he faced in relief. Last season, in his rookie year, McNabb played in 28 games and collected a 4-10-0-0 record to go along with a 4.52 goals against average and a 0.870 save percentage.
Thank you Nabber (@Dean_McNabb) for your enthusiasm, attitude and hardwork since you've been in #yyj! All the best back home in #yqr, except on Nov 17th! pic.twitter.com/py1RkjCMkm
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) September 25, 2018
Prior to his time with the Royals, the 18-year-old goaltender played for the Regina Pat Canadians of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League for two seasons (2015-17).
“We are happy to get Dean to Regina,” said Pats VP of Hockey Operations and GM John Paddock. “He has experience in the league and adds some needed depth to the goalie position within our organization.”
The 6-2, 176 lb netminder was selected by the Royals in the third round, 61st overall, in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.
McNabb is the younger brother to Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Brayden McNabb.
New backup goalie for the Royals
2001-born goaltender Brock Gould will takeover the new backup roll.
A native of Colorado Springs, CO, Gould was drafted by the Royals in the eighth round, 170th overall, at the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.
“Brock is a very promising goaltender who frankly surprised us with his technical skill, poise and athleticism all through camp,” Royals’ General Manager Cameron Hope said after signing him in 2016. “We are pleased to have Brock and his family join the Royals’ organization, and look forward to seeing him continue to develop.”
Royals shoot past Cougars in home opener
The Victoria Royals earned a 2-1 shootout win versus the Prince George Cougars as Dino Kambeitz scored the game winner in the fifth round of the shootout on Friday night.
The following night, they scored three goals on the powerplay and two while shorthanded to down the Prince George Cougars 5-1 and win both games this weekend.
Griffen Outhouse started both games and Mcnabb finished the second game in relief, stopping all three shots he faced.
Victoria continues their four-game homestand, to start the 2018-19 regular season, this Friday and Saturday versus the Kamloops Blazers.
Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. for both games.
