The Victoria Royals are riding high as five of their players have received invitations from NHL clubs to participate in upcoming pre-season events.
These opportunities are not only a testament to the players’ skills but also a source of immense pride for the Royals and their fans.
Here are the five standout players and the NHL teams they will represent:
1. Gannon Laroque (San Jose Sharks)
Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, Gannon Laroque was selected 103rd overall by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Throughout his WHL career, Laroque has showcased his prowess as a defenceman in 91 games for the Royals, amassing 13 goals and 51 assists for a total of 64 points. Impressively, he also made his mark in the professional league, participating in three games for the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) during the 2021-22 season.
Laroque is all set to join the Sharks at the 2023 Rookie Faceoff in Las Vegas, Nevada, from September 15th to 18th.
2. Justin Kipkie (Arizona Coyotes)
From Calgary, Alberta, Justin Kipkie was the first Royal selected in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft when the Arizona Coyotes chose him in the fifth round, 161st overall.
During the 2022-23 season, Kipkie exhibited his skills in 67 games, recording an impressive eight goals and 25 assists, earning him the title of the highest-scoring rookie defenceman in the WHL. Kipkie originally joined the Royals as the 126th overall pick in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
He will join teammate Reggie Newman in representing the Coyotes at the 2023 Rookie Faceoff in Las Vegas.
3. Reggie Newman (Arizona Coyotes)
Reggie Newman, a 6’2″, 194 lbs player from Kamloops, British Columbia, is entering his third season with the Royals.
He was selected 72nd overall by Victoria in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft and has since accumulated 12 goals and 27 assists in 108 games.
Alongside Justin Kipkie, Newman will be showcasing his talents with the Coyotes at the 2023 Rookie Faceoff in Las Vegas.
4. Kalem Parker (Minnesota Wild)
From Clavet, Saskatchewan, Kalem Parker was picked 181st overall in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild.
Parker’s consistent and outstanding play earned him the title of the Royals’ 2022-23 Top Defenceman. During the previous season, he played in all 68 games, scoring six goals and contributing 32 assists for a total of 38 points.
Parker will be representing the Wild at the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase in St. Paul, Minnesota, also taking place from September 15th to 18th.
5. Nate Misskey (Edmonton Oilers)
Nate Misskey, originally from Melfort, Saskatchewan, made a lasting impression during his first full season with the Royals in the 2022-23 campaign.
In 65 games, he registered five goals and nine assists, totaling 14 points. Misskey’s remarkable performance earned him an invitation to the Edmonton Oilers’ 2023 Young Stars Classic in Penticton, British Columbia, from September 15th to 18th.
This opportunity comes following his strong showing at the Oilers’ development camp earlier this summer.
As these five talented Royals players embark on their NHL camp journeys, the team and its supporters eagerly anticipate the valuable experience they will gain and the potential impact they may have on their respective NHL clubs in the future.
The Royals themselves are gearing up for an exciting pre-season and regular season, with the first pre-game set for Saturday, September 9th, against the Prince George Cougars.
The Royals will kick off their season at home on Friday, September 29th.
