Victoria Royals enter new season ranked third in CHL with big rule changes ahead

Victoria Royals fans will have more than a revamped roster to watch when the puck drops on the 2026-27 season on Sepetember 26th.

The Western Hockey League (WHL) has introduced three rule changes that will affect every team this season, including a major adjustment designed to make 3-on-3 overtime faster and more aggressive.

The changes arrive as excitement builds around the Royals, who will begin the season ranked third in the Canadian Hockey League’s (CHL) preseason Top-10 rankings.

The most noticeable change will come if a game remains tied after regulation.

WHL teams will continue to play a five-minute, sudden-death overtime period with three skaters per side. However, once a team has possession and control of the puck in the attacking zone, it will no longer be allowed to intentionally carry, pass or play the puck back into the neutral zone.

The rule is intended to prevent teams from repeatedly retreating and regrouping during overtime, which can slow down play as they wait for the perfect scoring opportunity.

Failed passes and puck-handling mistakes that send the puck out of the attacking zone will also be considered violations.

If a team breaks the new “no return” rule, play will be stopped and the faceoff will take place in its defensive zone. The opposing team will choose which faceoff circle is used, and the offending team will not be allowed to change players.

The rule will generally not apply when the puck leaves the zone immediately following a shot attempt, when it is forced out by a legal check or when a cleanly won offensive-zone faceoff sends the puck directly into the neutral zone.

The restriction will also be temporarily suspended when coincidental or staggered penalties result in teams playing four-on-four or five-on-five. Violations will not be subject to video review.

The WHL is also introducing coach’s challenges for goals that may have followed a missed offside call.

A coach can request a review when a goal is called on the ice and the defending team believes the attacking team entered the zone offside.

Challenges must be initiated before the ensuing centre-ice faceoff. A team can use its timeout if coaches need additional time to decide whether to challenge.

If video review conclusively shows the play was offside, the goal will be disallowed and time will be returned to the game clock.

An unsuccessful first challenge will result in a bench minor for delay of game. A second unsuccessful challenge, along with any additional failed challenges, will result in a double minor.

The rule will apply during regulation and overtime in both the regular season and playoffs.

Referees will now review all major and match penalties on a tablet at the penalty box, with the exception of fighting majors.

Following the review, officials can confirm the original call, reduce it to a double minor or minor penalty or rescind the penalty altogether.

The WHL says the three changes are intended to improve the fan experience, maintain the speed of play and help ensure scoring plays and serious penalties are ruled correctly.

Royals enter the season ranked third in the CHL

The new rules come as Victoria prepares to begin one of its most anticipated seasons in recent memory.

The Royals have been ranked third in the CHL’s preseason Top-10, trailing only the Guelph Storm and Cape Breton Eagles.

Victoria finished just two points short of qualifying for a playoff tiebreaker last season, but the CHL says the team enters 2026-27 with a “win-now roster.”

Much of the attention will be on Dallas Stars prospect Cameron Schmidt, who joined the Royals following a season in which he tied for the CHL lead with 51 goals and recorded 100 points in 72 games.

Returning forwards Nolan Stewart and Hayden Moore combined for 98 points last season, while former Tri-City scoring leader Savin Virk joins Victoria after recording 27 goals and 38 assists.

Captain Miles Cooper, Caleb Matthews, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Filip Novak and CHL Import Draft selection Marek Peroutka add even more depth to the offence.

Victoria offered an early look at its scoring potential during the preseason, putting up 10 goals while splitting two games against the London Knights.

Victoria announces opening-night roster

The Royals’ opening-night roster features 27 players, including 16 forwards, eight defencemen and three goaltenders.

The Royals’ forward group includes Caleb Matthews, Jacob Schwartz, Ludovic Perreault, Savin Virk, Wyatt Danyleyko, Nolan Stewart, Filip Novak, Hayden Moore, Ashton Brown, Eliot Compton, Cruz Waltze, Drayden Uhrina, Marek Peroutka, Cameron Schmidt, Miles Cooper and Max Silver.

On the blue line, Victoria will have Odin Vauhkonen, Sam Schulte, Axel Bisbee, Ryland Moore, Henry Peterson, Jonas Kohn, Nate Yellowaga and Landon Young.

Cole Prelusky, Seth Badry and Vladimir Proskurin make up the goaltending group.

Novak, Schmidt and Proskurin were listed as attending NHL camps when the roster was announced.

The Royals will open their regular season on the road against the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday, September 19th.

Victoria’s home opener will follow on Saturday, September 26th at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

All WHL regular-season games will also be streamed free on the league’s YouTube channel this season.