Scott Walford, one of the Victoria Royals’ most understated players in demeanour, was brash enough to be heard from Saturday.
The six-foot-two, 193-pound defenceman was selected 68th overall in the third round by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2017 NHL draft.
“It has been my lifelong goal to play in the NHL and this is a step in the right direction, and with such a storied franchise,” Walford said.
“But this is just the start. I need to work on everything. It is a big step from junior to pro.”
It was the second-highest that a Royals player has been selected, behind Keegan Kanzig going 67th overall in the third round to the Calgary Flames in 2013. Kanzig was traded by the Royals to the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL and played last season for the pro Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL.
Walford had six goals and 24 assists and was minus 13 in 60 WHL regular season games last season in Victoria before playing only one playoff game due to injury. The Canadiens looked long term, and past his curtailed end-of-season for the Royals.
“They saw the work I have put in to get back healthy,” said Walford, who watched the draft with his family at their Coquitlam home.
Walford, 18, is still likely in the shadow of Los Angeles Kings-signed Chaz Reddekopp, who is eligible to return next season to Victoria as an over-age 20-year-old, but has clearly established himself as the future leader of the Royals blueline.
He will now play under Dan Price, the former Royals assistant, who has been elevated to head coach after Dave Lowry’s departure to join the NHL’s Kings as an assistant coach.
“[Price] is a great choice — he studies the game and works hard both at the rink and away from the rink — and this will be an easier transition,” said Walford, who will attend the Canadiens rookie camp in Montreal next week.
Six-foot-five defenceman Brendan De Jong of Victoria, who plays in the WHL for the Portland Winterhawks, was selected 166th overall in the sixth round by the Carolina Hurricanes.
