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The Victoria Royals’ offseason is officially over, and they kicked off their home opener in thrilling fashion Friday night with a 5-4 victory in overtime against the Tri-City Americans.
The game featured a standout performance from Keaton Verhoeff, who scored his first WHL goal to tie the game at four and force overtime.
Verhoeff then went on to score his second goal of the game to win it for the Royals at 4:16 of overtime, assisted by Cole Reschny and Tanner Scott, sending the crowd of over 5,000 fans into a frenzy.
As if that wasn’t exciting enough, one lucky fan walked away with a pair of tickets to see Taylor Swift live in Vancouver this December, making the night even more memorable!
If you missed the action or simply can’t get enough, the Royals and Americans will face off again tonight, Saturday, September 21st, at 6:05 p.m. for Country Fest.
So dust off your cowboy hats, because there will be live music, a DJ, and plenty of country-themed fun. Gates open early, so arrive in time to soak in all the festivities!
But beyond the exciting games, the Royals are ushering in a new era at the rink, unveiling a series of incredible new features that have transformed the fan experience.
New Stanchion Lights
The Royals’ ice level action has been taken to new heights with the installation of stanchion lights, similar to what Vancouver Canucks fans are used to.
These high-energy lights get the crowd buzzing during team intros, goals, and wins, adding to the electric atmosphere. The lights were installed by Trimlight Van Isle with support from the Victoria Hockey Legacy Society, giving the arena a fresh and dynamic feel.
“When we were approached by the Victoria Royals for a potential partnership, we knew instantly that we would be aligning with a team that believes in excellence,” said Herman and Shannon Smelt, owners of Trimlight Van Isle.
“We are excited to be a part of the Royal’s success story and we believe the Stanchion Project will encourage excellence on and off the ice for players and fans alike. We believe in developing healthy communities and we know that through the Royals, we are contributing locally.”
The stanchion lighting system installed at the rink is a first for Trimlight Van Isle, which typically focuses on homes and businesses. The new system brings all the features of a standard installation, offering millions of colour options, adjustable speeds, and patterns for the Royals to work with.
To ensure durability and visibility, each stanchion was taken to the company’s shop in Cowichan Bay, where the lights were securely attached.
Thousands of feet of wire connect the lights, all controlled through an app. The Trimlight team worked tirelessly to design the system so it could be easily dismantled and reassembled for events where the plexiglass is removed.
“We hope that these lights bring joy to the fans, encourage the players and bring an overall NHL feel to the arena.”
A new goal horn and song
In keeping with the theme of a new era, the Royals have introduced a brand-new goal horn—and it’s a sound all too familiar for BC residents. Yes, that’s a BC Ferries horn blaring through the arena when the Royals find the back of the net!
And while fans may have to say goodbye to “Brass Bonanza,” a new goal song has be unveiled: “Party Till We Die”, taking celebrations to the next level.
Meet the new voice of the Royals
If you tuned in on Facebook or the WHL app, you probably noticed a new voice calling the game. Remy Zanotto, a young talented broadcaster with over 8 years of experience, has joined the team from Brock University, where he honed his skills covering hockey, rugby, and lacrosse.
Zanotto is excited to bring his energy to Royals’ broadcasts, saying, “I strive to capture the moment and make it memorable for those watching at home.”
A cutting-edge broadcast desk
The Royals are stepping into the future with a sleek, new broadcast desk featuring none other than Seanna Wainman as the new studio host.
Fans may remember Wainman from last season, where she was the in-game host and a familiar face from Victoria Buzz.
This season, she’ll be providing pre-game, intermission, and post-game coverage on the WHL app, throughout the rink, and she’ll even be interviewing players and coaches on the bench during game action.
Fresh arena look
The Royals have also given the arena a facelift, removing remnants of the former Salmon Kings’ colours and replacing them with brighter, more vibrant hues throughout the concourse—they even brought back pizza as a food option!
The fresh look adds to the updated fan experience and gives the rink a new, modern feel.
With nearly a dozen new players hitting the ice and all these fantastic arena upgrades, the Royals are making sure that fans have an unforgettable time at every game.
New players and 5 NHL draft picks at camp
The Royals saw big changes in the offseason, particularly at forward, with only six returning forwards who played 30+ games last season.
With key players like Dawson Pasternak and Tyson Laventure aging out, and Robin Sapousek not returning, it was clear they needed fresh talent.
They addressed this by using both of their CHL Import Draft picks on forwards, bringing in Winnipeg Jets’ 5th-rounder Markus Loponen and Simon Pohludka.
Loponen, the first NHL-drafted player the Royals have secured through the Import Draft, is an exciting addition to watch.
The team also kicked off the season with five players attending NHL training camps, the second most in the WHL.
On defence, the Royals will rely on key pillars Justin Kipkie and Nate Misskey, both 19 and NHL draftees. Kipkie had a standout season after being picked in the 5th round in 2023, while Misskey earned an NHL selection this past summer. With these two on the blue line, the Royals are in an enviable position heading into the season.
See the full roster the Victoria Royals kicked the season off with here.
It’s clear the Royals are starting a new chapter in style—so don’t miss the chance to be a part of it!
