The Victoria Royals are making noise both on and off the ice this week—with six members of the team earning nominations for Western Hockey League (WHL) awards as they head into the second round of the playoffs against the Spokane Chiefs.
It’s a momentous week for a Royals squad that’s already turned heads with an electric postseason run—and now, their regular season efforts are being recognized in a big way.
Captain Justin Kipkie headlines the list of nominees after being named to the WHL’s Western Conference Second All-Star Team. The 19-year-old defenceman had a breakout year, notching 62 points in 64 games, and setting a new franchise record for most career goals by a Royals defenceman with 33.
Goaltender Jayden Kraus is being recognized for his off-ice impact, earning a finalist nod for the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy (WHL Humanitarian of the Year). His save-for-charity campaign raised $1,596.25 for the Canadian Mental Health Association, with $1 donated for every save he made from November onward.
Forward Kenta Isogai has earned a nomination for the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy for Most Sportsmanlike Player. The skilled winger from Nagano, Japan racked up 78 points in just 59 games—while spending only 12 minutes in the penalty box all season.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old rookie defenceman Keaton Verhoeff is up for the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL Rookie of the Year) after scoring a record-breaking 21 goals this season—more than any Royals defenceman has ever scored in a single year. It’s the most goals by a 16-year-old WHL defenceman since 1985.
Royals General Manager Jake Heisinger has been named a finalist for the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy for WHL Executive of the Year.
Learn more > https://t.co/OYXDXnqdRn pic.twitter.com/ndgH59MQU8
— xy – Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) April 8, 2025
On the bench and in the front office, General Manager Jake Heisinger and Head Coach James Patrick are both finalists for major WHL awards. Heisinger is in the running for Executive of the Year, while Patrick is a finalist for Coach of the Year. Together, they helped guide Victoria to a 40-17-4-7 record and their first BC Division title since 2015–16.
Royals Head Coach James Patrick has been named a finalist for the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy for WHL Coach of the Year.
Learn more > https://t.co/s6G7aPpeqK pic.twitter.com/pRgizqO26p
— xy – Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) April 8, 2025
Now, the Royals are focused on what lies ahead: a second-round showdown with the Spokane Chiefs.
After eliminating the Tri-City Americans in five games, Victoria finds themselves up against a red-hot Spokane squad that also made quick work of their first-round opponent, beating the Vancouver Giants 4–1.
Unlike Round 1, the Royals won’t have home-ice advantage this time. Spokane finished the regular season with 93 points, edging out Victoria’s 91, which places the Royals as the third seed going into the series.
See also: Victoria Royals set to battle Spokane Chiefs in second round of WHL playoffs
The two teams clashed four times this season, with Spokane winning three of those games and outscoring the Royals 20–9. But the playoffs are a different beast—and this Royals team is riding serious momentum.
Netminder Johnny Hicks has been nothing short of sensational since arriving mid-season. He leads all WHL playoff goalies with a .949 save percentage and tops the league with two shutouts. Up front, Cole Reschny is on fire, tallying 12 points in five games to help power Victoria’s attack.
The Royals are aiming to make history this spring. The franchise has never made it past the second round of the playoffs—but with strong leadership, elite goaltending, and six award nominees in the mix, this could be the year they change that.
Here’s the full schedule for the second-round series between the Royals and Chiefs:
- Game 1: Sunday, April 13th – 6:05 p.m. – Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena
- Game 2: Monday, April 14th – 7:05 p.m. – Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena
- Game 3: Wednesday, April 16th – 7:05 p.m. – Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
- Game 4: Friday, April 18th – 7:05 p.m. – Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
- Game 5: Saturday, April 19th – 6:05 p.m. – Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre (if necessary)
- Game 6: Tuesday, April 22nd – 7:05 p.m. – Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena (if necessary)
- Game 7: Wednesday, April 23rd – 7:05 p.m. – Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena (if necessary)
Victoria fans will have two big chances to cheer on the team at home in Round 2—don’t miss it. Playoff tickets are on sale now—grab yours before they’re gone!
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