Do the Royals Have What it Takes to Win the B.C. Division?

After a rough couple of seasons following the pandemic, the Victoria Royals are in the middle of a phenomenal bounce-back year. They currently hold the first spot in the B.C. Division, and are fifth in the Western Hockey League. The Royals have only won the division once, in the 2015/16 season, spearheaded by Royals greats such as Griffin Outhouse, Tyler Soy, and Matthew Phillips. Could this year's Royals be the next great lineup in Victoria's WHL history? Can they once again claim the title of B.C. champions?

Pedal to the Medal

After some huge trade acquisitions near the deadline, the Royals have really hit their stride offensively. They have scored an average of 5.2 goals per game over their last five contests, and all four forward lines have been really clicking, showcasing the depth that the 2025 Royals possess.

Some especially productive forwards of late (last ten games) have been:

• Cole Reschny - 14 assists, 22 points

• Teydon Trembecky - 9 goals, 16 points

• Brandon Lisowsky - 7 goals, 10 points

• Kenta Isogai - 7 goals, 17 points

With this kind of offensive production, plus depth forwards such as Hayden Moore and Logan Pickford delivering as well, there is no question that the Royals offense this season is a solid candidate for the B.C. Division title.

Special Teams

The Royals' special teams have been in flux this season. The power play, initially average, has now soared to second in the league (tied with the Prince Albert Raiders). This certainly coincides with the arrival of Isogai and Lisowsky, both playing on the first power play unit alongside Reschny and Trembecky. The Royals show quick puck movement on the power play, with the team's excellent chemistry contributing to plenty of top-tier chances.

Victoria's penalty kill, however, is a different story. It too has improved since the beginning of the season, but still sits at 11th league-wide. This certainly stands out among the other top teams in the WHL. While the Royals take the fifth-least penalties in the league, an impressive turnaround from previous seasons, a good penalty kill is crucial for long-term postseason success. Look for this to be something the team works on in the coming weeks.

In the Crease

If there's one thing the Royals have brought consistently year after year, it's great goaltending. Royals Goalie Coach Lynden Sammartino is truly world-class in his ability to develop some of the best goalies in the WHL. This year's tandem is certainly no exception. Jayden Kraus in particular has been outstanding this season. The 18-year-old from Prince Albert showed flashes of brilliance last season backing up Braden Holt, but he has been a force to behold this year, rocking a .912 save percentage (2nd in WHL) and 2.65 GAA (3rd in WHL). Both of these stats are first among all draft-eligible goaltenders in the league.

Not only has Kraus been borderline unstoppable, but his wingman Johnny Hicks continues to dominate since arriving from the BCHL in place of Spencer Michnik. Hicks, through only five games so far, boasts a .916 save percentage and a 2.60 GAA.

With this kind of power between the pipes, the Royals would give even the sharpest of shooters nightmares.

Overall, the Royals are looking great. In all facets, they are clearly a top team in the WHL, and the standings show it. However, sitting only four points ahead of the Prince George Cougars with two more games played, the last two games of the regular season (in Prince George) will be a critical point in claiming the B.C. division for the first time in nine years.