Victoria Royals management had one eye on Spokane, where the Western Hockey League club defeated the Chiefs 6-5 in overtime Wednesday, and the other on Moscow. Not nearby Moscow, Idaho, but the big one in Russia.
That’s where Vladimir Bobylev was demoted by Moscow Spartak of the KHL amid rumours the six-foot-two forward might be interested in returning to the Royals rather than report to the Russian minor-pro leagues. The 19-year-old is still eligible for junior hockey, in which he had a breakout season last year in Victoria with 28 goals and 67 points after recording just three goals and nine points the season before in Vancouver with the Giants. That led to Bobylev being selected 122nd overall, in the fifth round, of the 2016 NHL draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bobylev instead opted to sign pro in his native Russia with Spartak, where he has struggled in the KHL with one goal and one assist in 20 games this season.
“We respect the contracts of other teams,” said Royals GM Cam Hope.
Bobylev is under contract to Spartak. But there is nothing stopping Spartak from assigning Bobylev to the Royals instead of their minor-pro farm clubs Sokol Krasnoyarsk of the VHL (AHL level) or MHK Spartak of the MHL (ECHL level). Spartak could also release him outright. If Bobylev was to return to the major-junior Canadian Hockey League, he must play for the Royals.
“We’ve stayed in touch. He would be a nice boost for our club,” said Hope, rather wistfully.
If a return happens, it could be by the weekend.
Meanwhile, Matthew Phillips’ second power-play goal of the game, pushing in an initial Jack Walker shot, gave the Royals victory at 3:02 of overtime before 2,955 fans at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Phillips had a four-point night in upping his team-leading goals total to 22 and points to 36. Dante Hannoun added a goal and assist and Jared Dmytriw, Regan Nagy and defenceman Marsel Ibragimov a goal each. Jaret Anderson-Dolan had a hat trick for the Chiefs.
“Our top players took over the game,” said Royals coach Dave Lowry.
“We challenged them and they responded. Our power play (3-6) was the difference and that’s a function of your top players.”
Griffen Outhouse made 28 saves for Victoria (16-13-2).
“We let them get up early [2-0 Spokane lead] and then Griff settled down,” noted Lowry.
Spokane (11-11-6) also had their crease issues. Former Royals goaltender Jayden Sittler allowed three goals on six shots and was replaced by Dawson Weatherill.
Forward Blake Bargar returned to the Victoria lineup from injury but the Royals were missing blueliner and captain Ryan Gagnon, who sat out the first game of a four-game suspension for a charging major and game misconduct incurred last weekend in Prince George.
Kailer Yamamoto, projected by Central Scouting for the first round of the 2017 NHL draft, returned to the Spokane lineup from injury and recorded two assists.
The Royals continue their American Division excursion in Portland on Friday and Tri-City on Saturday.
