That’s what you call making an entrance.
Ben Riche is 2-0 as a member of the Victoria Royals after recording a hat-trick and an assist for four points in a 9-7 scorefest victory over the Rockets in a Thanksgiving Day matinee before 3,785 fans at Prospera Place in Kelowna.
Riche was acquired in last week’s blockbuster trade that sent Royals veterans Kalem Parker, an NHL draft pick of the Minnesota Wild, and Brayden Schuurman to Moose Jaw for the Warriors’ first-round WHL prospects draft selections in 2024 and 2026, a second-round pick in 2025, a third-round selection in 2027 and fifth-round pick in 2026.
Riche is proving he is more than just an after-thought throw in for a Royals club that has blown things up to build for the future.
“Ben is a versatile player who can play all three forward positions,” said Royals head coach Dan Price.
The five-foot-10, 188-pound, 18-year-old sophomore was considered a top bantam player, as attested by Riche being selected 33rd overall by the Warriors in the second round of the 2020 WHL prospects draft. He had eight goals and 18 points in his rookie season in Moose Jaw and one assist in five games this season with the Warriors. He was looking to be a top-six forward, something unlikely on the loaded Warriors roster, but will get that chance in Victoria.
“He works hard and he’s earning opportunities offensively and defensively,” said Price.
“One quality that stands out is that he moves his feet to get to the net and he hangs in there around the net. Those habits create offence.”
They certainly did Monday. What was most evident, however, was Riche’s quick-burst capabilities as he scored two of his goals on breakaways.
The Royals, 4-1 victors in Kamloops on Friday, have won two games after opening the Western Hockey League season with four losses.
Sophomore-import Robin Sapousek, a silver medallist with Czechia in the 2023 world junior championship, had two goals Monday for Victoria after also scoring in Kamloops on Friday. Linemates Reggie Newman, with a goal, and Tanner Scott, with three assists, were also instrumental Monday in Kelowna.
“Robin and his linemates, Tanner and Reggie, have committed to a 200-foot style of play. They all focus on working the puck to, and in, good areas of the ice, and they work hard to support our defencemen,” said Price.
“As the centre on the line, Robin is always quick to support the puck, and he pays the price physically to make important plays in all situations and in all areas of the ice.”
Rookie Seth Fryer scored his first WHL goal while fellow-defenceman Austin Zemlak added a goal and assist. The contribution from the blueliner also included Nate Misskey extending his points streak to six games by picking up two assists. Forward Matthew Hodson scored the other Royals goal.
Rockets forward Andrew Cristall showed why he was a second-round NHL draft pick this year of the Washington Capitals, with two goals and three assists and 2024 NHL draft-touted Tij Iginla, son of former NHL star Jarome Iginla, had two goals for Kelowna (2-3-1).
Victoria’s power-play went 1-3 although it gave up its fifth shorthanded goal of the season. Kelowna was 2-5 on the power play.
Braden Holt made 24 saves in goal for Victoria while Nathan Kam and Jake Pilon combined for 28 saves for Kelowna.
The two-game winning streak is modest but crucial for a Royals team that needed something to go its way.“The players have started to establish some important puck management, puck support and puck pressure habits,” said Price.
“There’s still room for improvement there, but those areas have started to become positive elements of this group’s identity.”
The Royals begin a five-game homestand on Friday against the Everett Silvertips (3-3) and Saturday versus the Swift Current Broncos (2-3-1).
