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Royals, Grizzlies land players on final NHL draft rankings

The pandemic-abbreviated WHL and BCHL seasons were short, but vital, for players such as defenceman Gannon Laroque of the Victoria Royals and forward Ellis Rickwood of the Victoria Grizzlies.
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VICTORIA, B.C.: NOVEMBER 17, 2020-Victoria Grizzlies Ellis Rickwood in action against the Nanaimo Clippers for player profile in Victoria, B.C. November 17, 2020. (DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST). For Sports story by Cleve Dheensaw.

The pandemic-abbreviated WHL and BCHL seasons were short, but vital, for players such as defenceman Gannon Laroque of the Victoria Royals and forward Ellis Rickwood of the Victoria Grizzlies. Both players did enough in the tight time frame to attract the notice of Central Scouting for the 2021 NHL draft.

Rickwood is ranked 144th and Laroque 219th among North American skaters on the final list. Six-foot-three Royals blue-liner Nolan Bentham, a hometown Victoria product, was listed for the draft under the limited viewing designation because he missed the WHL season.

“I developed a lot in the mini-bubble,” said Laroque.

“Being ranked is a step in the right direction in my dream of playing in the NHL. It’s an honour and I’m excited.”

Laroque came into the shortened WHL season largely unheralded but rose steadily through his 21 games played to become a top-pairing defenceman with the Royals and the player who logged the most minutes played for Victoria.

“That’s a reflection of Gannon Laroque’s straight-out work ethic,” said Royals GM and head coach Dan Price.

The six-foot-two, 200-pound rearguard from Edmonton had a goal and six assists for seven points.

“Gannon is a two-way player who moves the puck well and is extremely physical, especially in pushing along the boards and around the net.”

Laroque’s self-assesment is about the same: “I’m a 200-foot defenceman who is physical and an agitator and with a big shot on offence. I’m looking forward to getting to know the Victoria community in the more normal seasons ahead.”

Bentham’s previous body of work on the Royals blue line was enough to get the Islander cited despite missing the WHL season. The Racquet Club product will return for 2021-22.

“Nolan has worked hard at developing his game and people noticed that,” said Price.

There are 57 WHL players listed, led by Edmonton Oil Kings winger Dylan Guenther as the fifth overall North American skater. Sebastian Cossa of the Oil Kings is the top listed WHL goaltender and first overall among North American goalies. All WHL teams had at least one player listed.

Rickwood was the second-ranked of four BCHL players after centre Alexander Teleguine of the Chilliwack Bruins at 134th. Rickwood is a six-foot-one, 200-pounder from Brantford, Ont., who can skate and doesn’t shy from contact. He was tied for second in BCHL scoring with 13 goals and 30 points in 20 games.

“[Rickwood] is a 200-foot-player with a great touch for a power forward and can also pass,” said Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon.

“He’s still in a growth spurt and keeps getting better. He adapted well to this unusual situation with a tremendous season. Whoever picks him is going to have a very good prospect.”

The overall top-rated North American skater is Owen Power, a six-foot-six defenceman from Mississauga, Ont., who plays in the NCAA for the University of Michigan Wolverines. The top ranked international skater is winger William Eklund from Djurgarden of the Swedish league.

The 2021 NHL draft will be held virtually July 23-24.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com