In a recent CHL Power Ranking by Sportsnet, Victoria Royals’ new coach in town, Dan Price, was ranked 3rd among the Canadian Hockey League’s 18 new coaches that have debuted this season.
Turns out, leading your team as the Western Conference’s most potent offence will get you noticed! The Royals have been an offensive juggernaut all season, averaging 4.15 goals per game and scoring 5 goals or more on 18 occasions, or every third game.
Price replaced veteran coach Dave Lowry, who was hired as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Kings in the summer.
Here’s what Sportsnet’s junior hockey analyst Sam Cosentino had to say:
“Returning a solid veteran core, the Royals were considered pre-season contenders in the BC Division, with the caveat that a rookie coach could steer the ship. To date, it hasn’t been a problem, in fact long-time GM Cam Hope felt so strongly about the job Price has done, that he’s tweaked the roster all season, including adding the likes of Tanner Kaspick and Noah Gregor, two established veterans. The Royals are the highest-scoring team in the conference, have been deadly at home and currently sit in a favourable in-division playoff spot. Price comes from a lawyer background with a wide variety of interests away from the rink, which make him relatable to today’s youth.”
Jim Midgley of the Halifax Mooseheads was ranked 2nd, while Dennis Williams of the Everett Silvertips topped the list.
Victoria returns to action next Friday, February 9th when they host the Kelowna Rockets in a back-to-back set.
