The anticipation for the upcoming hockey season is ramping up in Victoria as the Royals unveil their plans for the 2023 Training Camp, featuring the highly anticipated Blue and White intra-squad game.
Set to take place on Tuesday, September 5th, at 6:05 p.m., hockey enthusiasts can mark their calendars for an evening of thrilling action at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre (SOFMC).
A longstanding tradition, the Blue and White game serves as a tantalizing preview of the talent and potential that the Victoria Royals bring to the ice.
Not only is the game a treat for avid fans, but this year it will be open to the public, providing an opportunity for everyone to experience the excitement firsthand.
Admission is by donation to the Victoria Royals Foundation, allowing attendees to support both local hockey and community initiatives. Doors will swing open at 5 p.m., an hour before puck drop, granting attendees ample time to soak in the arena atmosphere.
The training camp, which kicks off on Friday, September 1st, and runs through Tuesday, September 5th, is set to showcase a dynamic roster of players born between 2003 and 2008.
This will encompass a mix of returning Royals players from the 2022-23 season, free agent invitees, and emerging talents like Cole Reschny (3rd overall – 2022) and Keaton Verheoff (4th overall – 2023), both of whom have generated significant buzz in the hockey community.
As the training camp unfolds, players will be sorted into four teams, each named after revered figures from the Royals’ storied history: Joe Hicketts, Matthew Phillips, Griffen Outhouse, and Tarun Fizer.
Throughout the weekend, the four teams will participate in rigorous practice sessions in the mornings, refining their skills and strategies under the watchful eyes of coaches and fans alike.
In the afternoons, from Saturday to Monday, the teams will engage in a mini round-robin tournament, offering a taste of the fierce competition that lies ahead.
The 2023 Training Camp will serve as a stepping stone to the Royals’ pre-season games before the regular season gets underway.
These matchups are scheduled as follows:
- September 9: Victoria vs Prince George @ 7:00pm (Port Coquitlam, BC)
- September 10: Victoria vs Vancouver @ 4:00pm (Ladner, BC)
- September 15: Victoria vs Kamloops @ 7:00pm (Sandman Centre – Kamloops, BC)
- September 16: Victoria vs Kelowna @ 7:05pm (Prospera Place – Kelowna, BC)
The Victoria Royals regular season will kick off at home on Friday, September 29th against the Prince George Cougars.
Victoria Royals Annual Blue and White intra-squad game
- Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St
- When: Tuesday, September 5th, puck drops at 6:05 p.m., doors open 5 p.m.
