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Shortly after the WHL unveiled the pre-season schedule, which sees the Victoria Royals on the road for their games, the team has announced the addition of two new hockey staff members.
On Monday, the Royals announced the addition of Sam Jarrin to their organization as the new Head Equipment Manager.
Jarrin brings a wealth of professional experience and expertise to the team, having spent the past eight seasons with the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL.
His extensive background in managing equipment and supporting player needs at the highest level of hockey will be invaluable to the Royals as they gear up for the new season.
The team also added Colin Wright to the team staff as the new Head Athletic Therapist.
Wright brings experience from his three seasons with the Victoria Grizzlies in the BCHL, where he served as the team’s Athletic Therapist. He is a graduate of Camosun College with a Bachelor of Athletic and Exercise Therapy.
With these changes, after four years as the team’s Director of Athletic Performance, JT Ward position has been updated to Head Strength, Conditioning & Rehabilitation Coach.
In addition to his new responsibilities, Ward brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as the Royals’ Head Athletic Therapist, a position he held for one season.
The Royals also brought in a new education advisor for the players. Rick Sprigg joined the team in January 2024, having spent nearly 30 years teaching in Victoria, including time as a Vice Principal.
While the start of the hockey season is still months away, the WHL released its pre-season schedule, which will see Victoria play a total of three pre-season games, all of which will take place on the road.
Their opening two games will be in Port Coquitlam, against the Vancouver Giants. They will open up the pre-season on Saturday, September 7th, before the two teams meet up again the following day, on Sunday, September 8th, for an afternoon contest.
Their pre-season will wrap on Wednesday, September 11th with a matchup against the Seattle Thunderbids at the accesso ShoWare Center.
Victoria will open their 68-game regular season September 20th and 21st with back-to-back games against the Tri-City Americans at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
The full schedule for the season was just released with the key home matchups:
- Home Opener weekend against the Tri-City Americans (September 20th / 21st)
- Visit from the reigning WHL Champion Moose Jaw Warriors (November 1st)
- First of four visits from the Vancouver Giants (December 13th)
- New Years Eve game against Vancouver Giants (December 31st)
- Landon Dupont, the second player in WHL history to be granted exceptional status, and the Everett Silvertips first visit to the SOFMC (January 3rd)
- BC Family Day afternoon game against Everett (February 17th)
- Final home game of the 2024-25 season, against Vancouver (March 14th)
Victoria’s longest homestand of the season will feature 8 games at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre between February 17th and March 14th. During this stretch, the Royals will host Prince George (2 games), Portland (2 games), Spokane (2 games), Vancouver, and Everett.
The longest absence from the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre will occur between November 9th and 23rd.
During this period, the team will play 8 consecutive road games. This road trip includes matchups in Seattle, Kamloops, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, and concludes in Everett.
The full schedule will soon be available here.
