The tyranny of distance, combined with international travel complications amid the pandemic, will deny the Victoria Royals their captain for the 2021 Western Hockey League season. The abbreviated and bubbled 24-game B.C. Division campaign will begin March 26 in Kelowna and Kamloops.
Phillip Schultz is Danish and the complexities of getting him to Canada amid the pandemic would have been too involved. The 20-year-old, who has twice represented Denmark in the world junior championship, has been playing pro in his native country this season.
“Phillip is disappointed he will not return to Victoria and we’re disappointed, too,” said Royals GM and head coach Dan Price.
“He leaves great legacy and contribution to this team and this city.”
Schultz, who plays centre, had 35 goals and 62 points in 106 regular season games and two goals and nine points in 10 playoff games for Victoria over two seasons.
Price said he will announce his new captain on Thursday.
Each WHL team is allowed three 20-year-olds and the Royals announced the over-agers not returning are Schultz, defenceman Jacob Herauf and forwards Carson Miller and Sean Gulka.
“I believe Herauf, Miller and Gulka will have chances to play pro hockey at some point, either after or perhaps before U Sports,” said Price.
The returning Royals 20-year-olds will be goaltender Adam Evanoff, defenceman Matthew Smith and forward Brandon Cutler.
Evanoff recently signed with Stockton of the professional American Hockey League and that indicates a lot, says Royals management. The native of Penticton was acquired by Victoria midway through the 2019-20 season after 2 ½ seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors. He will play for Victoria on loan from Stockton, providing the Royals with a reliable veteran crease presence this spring.
“Adam Evanoff is a diligent, hard-working and well-prepared goaltender and that’s why he is signed in the AHL and will be getting a pro opportunity,” said Price.
The hard-driving forward Cutler, who turned 21 in January, has shown enticing offensive flashes in his two previous seasons with Victoria and has 31 goals and 76 points in 130 regular season games and three goals in 10 playoffs games in his Royals tenure.
“Brandon is a 200-foot player and has earned this opportunity to return [as an over-ager],” said Price.
The veteran Smith will be entering his fourth season on the Victoria blue line.
“Matthew Smith was drafted by us and is an orginal Royal who has developed into a leader on this team,” said Price.
The WHL B.C. Division schedule will be announced today.
