Royals Announce Year End Award Winners
Victoria, BC – The Victoria Royals have announced the recipients of the organization’s team awards following the 2023-24 regular season. The awards were handed out upon the conclusion of the Royals’ final regular season home game against the Wenatchee Wild.
Headlining the awards was Forward Dawson Pasternak (Winnipeg, MB), who took home both the Gauer Olsen Most Valuable Player honour as well as the Mayfair Optometric Top Scorer Award after posting a team-high 72 points (27 goals, 45 assists) over 62 games played. Pasternak was acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings on October 5th in exchange for a conditional draft pick.
Another mid-season acquisition, Tyson Laventure (Lloydminster, AB), earned the Top Goal Scorer award. Laventure became a staple in the Royals lineup after the team acquired him prior to the Trade Deadline from the Swift Current Broncos. Laventure notched 31 goals over the course of the 2023-24 campaign, 16 of which came in his 25 games with the Royals.
Blueliner Austin Zemlak (Fort McMurray, AB) took home the Benchmark Landscape Management Community Service Award for dedicating his time to organizations including Heros Hockey, The Moosehide Campaign as well as being an ambassador for Canadian Blood Services.
Defenseman Matthew Keller (Airdrie, AB) earned Scholastic Player of the Year honours for his commitment to his studies and attaining high grades in his final year of high school.
16-year-old Cole Reschny (Macklin, SK) took home the Michell Excavating Rookie of the Year Award. Reschny, the third overall selection in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, earned WHL Rookie of the Month and WHL Rookie of the Week honors on two separate occasions this season. He registered 59 points (21 goals, 38 assists) in 61 games during his rookie campaign.
The Benchmark Landscape Management Fan’s Choice Award was presented to Tanner Scott (Sherwood Park, AB). The 19-year-old forward completed his fourth season with the Royals, recording 56 points in 68 games (19 goals, 37 assists). Scott played in all 68-games, for the second consecutive season.
2022 CHL Import pick Robin Sapoušek (Karlovy Vary, CZE) was presented with the Gable Craft Homes Most Dedicated Player Award. Sapoušek was an important member of the team’s first-half surge, recording 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points in 32 games played.
Justin Kipkie (Calgary, AB) was recognized with the Wilson’s Transportation Royals’ Top Defenceman Award. In his second full season in Victoria, Kipkie recorded 16 goals and 36 assists for 52 points in 67 games played. Kipkie’s 52 points put him in a tie for the fourth-most points in a single season by a Royals defenseman in team history. Kipkie was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
Goaltender Braden Holt (Bozeman, MT) was honoured with the 4 Seasons Fire Prevention Services Unsung Hero Award. Holt set career highs in minutes played (2589) and saves (1298) during his final season of junior hockey.
Reggie Newman (Kamloops, BC) was recognized with the Apex Steel & Gas Hardest Worker Award. Newman completed his third season as a Royal, tallying career highs in goals (19), assists (21), and points (40).
Blueliner Nate Misskey (Melfort, SK) was presented with the Commitment to Excellence Award. Misskey elevated his game this season, registering career highs in goals (7), assists (27), and points (34).
You can view the full list of winners below:
Top Goal Scorer – #8 Tyson Laventure
Top Scorer – #29 Dawson Pasternak (Presented by Mayfair Optometric)
Community Service Award – #5 Austin Zemlak
Scholastic Player of the Year – #24 Matthew Keller
Rookie of the Year – #7 Cole Reschny (Presented by Michell Excavating)
Fan’s Choice Award – #9 Tanner Scott (Presented by Benchmark Landscape Management)
Most Dedicated Player – #21 Robin Sapoušek (Presented by Gable Craft Homes)
Top Defenceman – #3 Justin Kipkie (Presented by Wilson’s Transportation)
Unsung Hero – #31 Braden Holt (Presented by 4 Seasons Fire Prevention Services)
Hardest Worker Award – #25 Reggie Newman (Presented by Apex Steel & Gas)
Commitment to Excellence – #23 Nate Misskey
Most Valuable Player – #29 Dawson Pasternak (Presented by Gauer Olsen)
