Victoria Royals’ Scott Walford is joining forces with some of his WHL opponents as Team WHL faces Team Russia for the first two games of the annual series.
Walford, a native of Coquitlam, BC, and his new teammates will get first crack at the Russian squad Nov. 5 in Kamloops, and play them again Nov. 6 in Langley.
Following that, Team Russia will move on to the Ontario Hockey League for Games 3 and 4, before finishing the series with Games 5 and 6 in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Walford has recorded three assists in six games, since he has returned from off-season surgery.
Last season, the 6-2, 190 lb defender appeared in 69 games and registered a career high 32 points (2g-30a) to tie for the team lead in scoring by a defenceman.
The Montreal Canadiens selected Walford in the third round, 68th overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Walford is the eighth player from the Royals’ franchise to play in the CIBC Canada Russia Series. Most recently, forward Matthew Phillips took part in the event last year. Forward Tyler Soy played for Team WHL in 2016, while defenceman Joe Hicketts took part in both 2015 and 2014. Forwards Steven Hodges, Kevin Sundher, Ryan Howse and Mark Santorelli all compete at the event in 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2007, respectively.
The 1999-born defenceman will be joined by Royals’ Athletic Therapist Khore Elliott, who will join Team WHL’s training staff for the game in Vancouver.
The six-game series features regional league teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates competing against the Russian National Junior Team. For the fifth straight season, the event will open with two games in the WHL.
2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule:
Game 1 – Monday, November 5 at Kamloops, BC
Game 2 – Tuesday, November 6 at Vancouver, BC
Game 3 – Thursday, November 8 at Sarnia, ON
Game 4 – Monday, November 12 at Oshawa, ON
Game 5 – Tuesday, November 13 at Sherbrooke, QC
Game 6 – Thursday, November 15 at Drummondville, QC
All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
Royals return to action this weekend
On Wednesday night, the Victoria Royals defeated the defending WHL Champion Swift Current Broncos 5-2. Dante Hannoun paced the club offensively with one goal and three assists.
Victoria rookie goaltender Brock Gould played in his first career WHL contest and recorded his first career win. The 2001-born netminder was picked in the eighth round, 170th overall, in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.
The Royals six-game homestand continues this weekend when they host BC Division rivals the Kelowna Rockets on Friday and Saturday night. Puck drop for both games is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m.
Victoria Royal vs Kelowna Rockets
- When: Friday and Saturday – Puck drop for both games is 7:05 p.m.
- Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre – 1925 Blanshard Street
