Trent Lofthouse showed just enough of a glimpse of his potential to tease Victoria Royals fans, not to mention Central Scouting, before missing most of the latter half of last season with a wrist injury.
“I didn’t expect to be drafted because I was out the last half of the season,” said Lofthouse, who was ranked 126th among North American skaters by Central Scouting for the 2013 NHL draft but not selected.
Lofthouse simply missed too much time for anybody to make a truly accurate scouting dossier on him.
“There’s not much I could do about it,” said the lanky, six-foot-three forward, who was acquired by the Royals last January from the Everett Silvertips for a 2014 sixth-round bantam draft pick, in a deal that seems like a bit of a steal.
Lofthouse showed he could still turn out to be a good free-agent signing for some pro team as he potted two goals as the Royals (1-1-1) defeated the Tri-City Americans 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Comcast Arena in Everett, Wash., as the Western Hockey League pre-season continued.
He has three goals in the pre-season.
“My wrist is all healed,” said Lofthouse, before the Royals embarked on the three weekend exhibition games in Everett that included a 2-1 loss to the Silvertips and a 6-5 shootout loss to the Seattle Thunderbirds.
There appears a lot more to be mined out of Lofthouse. Royals head coach Dave Lowry is making it one of his season projects to draw the most out of him.
“If Trent comes every day to work and compete, he has the intangibles to become a good player,” said Lowry. “I am going to challenge him every day.”
Rookie forward Tyler Soy flashed his upside, and why he is considered a lock to make the Royals, with two assists against Tri-City on Sunday.
But it was another 16-year-old forward, Matthew Campese, who was the rookie story of the game as he gave the Royals’ brain-trust something to think about with a goal and an assist Sunday.
“This is what we expected — for [Campese] to push for a spot,” said Lowry.
“He had a good game and did a lot of the little things well.”
Veteran Patrik Polivka went all the way in the net, making 21 saves for Victoria.
The Royals outshot the Americans 34-23.
Victoria’s pre-season concludes Sept. 14 at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre against the Vancouver Giants and with a game the following day against the Giants in Ladner.
The Royals regular season commences Sept. 20 at the Pacific Coliseum against the host Giants, with the home opener the next night, also against Vancouver, at the Memorial Centre.
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