The Victoria Royals, the out-of-the-blue 2015-16 regular-season champions, are young and will be among the clear favourites next year in the Western Hockey League.
“We’ve earned that,” said head coach Dave Lowry.
“We go from being the hunters to the hunted.”
Royals GM Cam Hope concurred: “With 15 to 20 players coming back, we can’t catch anybody off-guard next season.”
Not among that returning group are the three graduating Royals 20-year-olds. But they wish their former teammates well.
“It didn’t end up the way we wanted this year. There is nothing I can do about it. I have to move on. But there is a lot of youth depth on this team and it has a bright future,” said forward Logan Fisher, who played his last game for the Royals in Tuesday’s crushing Game 7 loss to Kelowna in the Western Conference semifinals.
“I have a special bond with these guys I will cherish a lifetime.”
The graduating 20-year-olds — forwards Fisher and Alex Forsberg and goaltender Coleman Vollrath — are considering hockey options that range from Canadian university to the minor-pro ECHL/AHL levels.
If he goes the CIS route, Fisher said he will major in business/commerce.
A fourth potential non-returnee is captain and 19-year-old defenceman Joe Hicketts. What the Detroit Red Wings decide to do with him next fall will greatly impact the Royals. There is a small chance they could return him to play out his 20-year-old junior season with the Royals, which would make Victoria an instant 2017 national Memorial Cup contender.
But like any aspiring player, Hicketts wants to get on with his pro career. He looks ready.
“You’re always thinking of heading to the next stage of your career,” said Hicketts.
“I’m hoping to play in the AHL, maybe even the NHL, next season.”
Although he might be personally disappointed not to get that opportunity next year, should the Red Wings decide he needs more seasoning in junior, Hicketts realizes he would be returning to a loaded Royals team and a potentially memorable over-age season.
“That will be a [Red Wings] training camp decision,” said Hicketts.
“They are two great options: Play pro, or have a really good run with the Royals. Whatever happens, I would be excited for both.”
Said Royals coach Dave Lowry: “This was Joe’s team. He leaves a positive legacy.”
Questions also swirl around Lowry’s status.
“It’s just a matter of time before an NHL team snaps him [Lowry] up,” said Hope.
“One of these years, Dave won’t be coming back. We appreciate having him as long as we can.”
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