Royals set to host Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes and the Thunderbirds at home this Weekend

The Royals return home this week and are set to host the Seattle Thunderbirds, featuring a super-special Sunday matinee. Friday November 28th will mark the first of two games against the Thunderbirds. VI Paddling will be set up in the concourse with ‘erg’ machines to celebrate paddling sports and it’s history on Vancouver Island.  

 

Superhero Sunday 

Sunday, November 30th will mark the first ever Superhero Sunday at SOFMC, celebrating our first responders and local community hero’s. Get ready for all things superhero themed in the game day experience from music to animations. There will be a plaza party pregame with live music provided by the Victoria Fire Fighters, British Columbia Ambulance will provide ambulance tours, and Victoria FD will have a fire engine out front. Echo from the Canadian Coast Guard, Sparky from the Victoria FD, and Bearametic from BC Ambulance will be in attendance with Marty. The Victoria Fire Fighters will be handing out stickers and selling calendars with all proceeds going towards the Victoria Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation as well as all proceeds from 50/50’s sales. Following the game there will be a post game skate with the players.Tickets are available for purchase here.

 

Team Matchups  

Seattle (10-8-2-0) enters the week having won four of their last five games. A middle-of-the-pack team just ahead of the Royals in the standings, the Thunderbirds shut down a Victoria comeback on November 21st to skate away with a win at home. This time, it’s the Royals’ turn with the home ice advantage versus a Seattle team that has struggled on the road (2-6-0-0 in away games this season). With the Thunderbirds leading the WHL in penalty minutes, Victoria will hope for an effective power play in order to overpower Seattle. 

 

Players to Watch 

 

Victoria 

Roan Woodward – A bright spot in the most recent clash with the Thunderbirds, Roan Woodward piled up a pair of power play points on Friday night. Scoring twice on the man advantage to take the league lead in power play goals, Woodward has been the catalyst of the Royals’ power play this season. Facing a team who spends plenty of time on the penalty kill, Woodward will look to continue his specialty scoring this weekend. 

 

Seattle 

Braeden Cootes – A fourth-year Thunderbird, Braeden Cootes is the biggest name on the Seattle roster. Cootes, the tenth overall pick in the 2022 WHL draft, was selected fifteenth overall in the 2025 NHL entry draft by the Vancouver Canucks. After getting his first taste of NHL action, Cootes has been operating above a point-per-game pace since rejoining the Thunderbirds. An energetic workhorse with elite playmaking skills, shutting down Cootes is crucial for success against the Thunderbirds. 

 

Look Ahead at December 

 

Christmas Toy Drive 

On Friday December 5th, the Royals are set to host the annual Christmas Toy Drive presented by Proline Property Management, in support of CFAX Santa’s Anonymous. Santas Anonymous is a local non-for-profit organization that helps over 1200 local families feel the magic of Christmas.  Fans are encouraged to shop the virtual wish list and bring selected gifts to Toy Drive on Friday, December 5th.  Tickets are available for purchase here. 

 

Teddy Bear Toss 

On Friday December 12th, Teddy Bear Toss is back at SOFMC, presented by Tedford Doors. Last year the Royals tallied 3061 teddy bears. This year the bar has been raised, our goal is to collect 4000 bears and reach the most kids possible this holiday season. All teddies collected will be donated to local children’s charities in Victoria. Tickets are available for purchase here.