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Victoria Royals Announce Roster Updates – June 23rd, 2026

GSL Marketing — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:07:15 +0000

Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Royals have announced the following roster moves. Jake Pilon, a 2006-born goaltender and 2006-born defenceman Cohen Massey have cleared 20-year-old waivers. As well, 2007-born forward Max Finley and 2008-born forward Layne Schofield have been released.
Pilon, a 6’5, 215lbs. goaltender hailing from Calgary, AB, played in 19 games for the Victoria Royals after being acquired from the Kelowna Rockets in trade early into the 2025-26 season. In those 19 games, Pilon compiled a 4.63 goals-against-average and a .860 save-percentage. Formerly a 8th round selection by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Pilon has appeared in 82 WHL games through his career so far.
Massey, a 5’11, 171lbs. defenceman hailing from Cloverdale, BC, was signed by the Royals following their 2025 Training Camp. In 20 games with the Royals, Massey had 2 assists. In his time with the Royals, Massey spearheaded Cohen’s Fight for a Cure initiative with Crohn’s & Colitis Canada. His efforts helped raise over $6,800 to help those in need. Massey was formerly a 9th round selection by the Portland Winterhawks in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
Finley, a 6’0, 176 lbs. forward hailing from Kelowna, BC, was acquired by the Royals in a trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2025 offseason. In an injury shortened season with Victoria, Finley scored one goal in three games he played. The former WHL champion with Moose Jaw was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2022 WHL Draft by the Warriors.
Schofield, a 6’1, 180 lbs. forward from LaSalle, MB, was signed by the Victoria Royals following the 2024 Training Camp. Over the past two seasons, Schofield appeared in 26 games, 24 of them in the 2025-26 campaign. In this past season, Schofield scored three goals and three assists for six points, including scoring his first WHL goal against the Penticton Vees on November 2nd at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
The Royals would like to thank Jake, Cohen, Max and Layne for their dedication and effort in their time with the club.

Victoria Royals Set for 2026 CHL Import Draft

GSL Marketing — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:29:26 +0000

Victoria, B.C. – The CHL has announced the order of selection for the 2026 CHL Import Draft. The Royals will make two picks in the first round with the 27th and 58th overall picks. The Royals acquired the 58th overall selection from the Penticton Vees in a previous trade.
The club has also confirmed that Mykola Kosarev is expected to rejoin the team for the 2026-27 season. Kosarev, hailing from Kharkiv, Ukraine, was selected 55th overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft by the Royals. Following playing 21 games for Victoria, Kosarev signed a professional contract with the Stavanger Oilers in the EliteHockey Ligaen, Norway’s top professional hockey league. In time split between the Men’s and U20 teams for Stavanger, Kosarev scored 10 points in 24 games, as well as winning a gold medal with the U20 side.
Kosarev recently represented his home country of Ukraine in various international tournaments at both the Men’s and U20 level, including scoring four points in five games in the Division 1 A World Junior Championships and collecting a silver medal at the D1A World Championships.
The CHL Import draft takes place Tuesday, June 30th. CHL teams are permitted to have three import players on their roster.

Victoria Royals Announce 2026-27 Home Opener presented by REMAX

GSL Marketing — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:00:56 +0000

Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Royals have announced their Home Opener presented by REMAX for the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season. Victoria will take on the Vancouver Giants at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on Saturday, September 26th at 6:05pm.
The B.C. Division rivals will have extra fuel added to the fire as Dallas Stars prospect Cameron Schmidt is expected to make his Royals home debut against his former team.
Get early access to Single Game Tickets by signing up at https://forms.gle/hHapcUmnzBfWKFDc8. If you have questions, email vrtickets@victoriaroyals.com or by calling 250-419-6906.

Royals Acquire Nate Yellowaga from the Red Deer Rebels

GSL Marketing — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:59:52 +0000

Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Royals announced today the acquisition of 2008-born defenceman Nate Yellowaga from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for a 2027 4th, a 2028 2nd, and a 2030 4th round pick.
The 5’11, 179 lbs. defenceman finished this past season, his first in the WHL, with 27 points (seven goals, 20 assists) in 67 games. Yellowaga registered four points in five playoff games against the Prince Albert Raiders. Hailing from Calgary, AB, Yellowaga started his junior career with the Brooks Bandits in the BCHL before joining the Rebels prior to last season.
“Nate is a dynamic defenseman that will add an important element to our team” said Royals General Manager Jake Heisinger. “He is an excellent skater that will be an impact player at both ends of the ice”.
Yellowaga, a former CSSHL U18 2nd Team All-Star, was drafted in the 9th round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft by Red Deer. He won a BCHL Championship with the Brooks Bandits in the 2024-25 season.

Royals Sign Sam Schulte to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

GSL Marketing — Tue, 12 May 2026 21:59:23 +0000

Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Royals announced the signing of 2007-born defenseman Sam Schulte to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.
A 6’1, 174 lbs. defenceman from Robbinsdale, Minnesota, Schulte most recently played for the Rochester Jr. Americans and Chippewa Steel in the NAHL.
In 47 games during the 2025-26 season, Schulte put up 42 points with 11 goals and 31 assists. He was named a finalist for NAHL Defenseman of the Year and earned spots on both the All-NAHL Team and All-East Division Team.
At the time of his December trade to the Rochester Jr. Americans, Schulte was leading the Chippewa Steel in points.
“We are excited Sam has chosen to play for our program to continue his development” said Royals General Manager Jake Heisinger. “He had an excellent season, and we are confident he can build off that heading into this year”.

2026 WHL Draft Day 2 Recap

GSL Marketing — Thu, 07 May 2026 22:51:02 +0000

Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Royals selected eight players from rounds 2 through 10 of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft.
Draft Selections
Round 2 With the 28th overall pick in the 2nd round, Victoria selected forward Kristian Lima. Hailing from Langley, BC, Lima appeared in 30 games for Burnaby Winter Club U15 Prep this season where he scored 24 goals and 27 assists for 51 points. Lima finished second on BWC in scoring and 15th in scoring in CSSHL U15 prep league.
Round 4 With the 73rd overall pick in the 4th round, Victoria selected forward Jaxson Weisgerber. Hailing from Sturgeon County, Alberta, Weisgerber played 30 games for OHA Edmonton U15 Prep this season where he posted 20 goals and 33 assists for 53 points. Weisberger finished second on his team in scoring.
Round 5 With the 112th overall pick in the 5th round, Victoria selected forward Brody Trost. Hailing from Los Altos, California, Trost appeared in 71 games for the Bishop Kearney Selects U14 AAA where he scored 37 goals and 37 assists for 74 points. Prior to joining Bishop Kearney Selects, he played in the Los Angeles Jr. Kings system.
Round 6 With the 134th overall pick in the 6th round, Victoria selected defenceman Madden Rome. Hailing from Red Deer, Alberta, Rome appeared in 20 games for the Red Deer Rebels U15 AAA. Rome stands at 6’1, 190lbs.
Round 7 With the 148th overall pick in the 7th round, Victoria selected goaltender Renner Andersen. Hailing from St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Andersen appeared in 62 games this season for the Shattuck St. Mary’s 14U AAA where he put up a .937 Save Percentage.
Round 8 With the 166th overall pick in the 8th round, Victoria selected forward Charlie Usher. Hailing from Calgary, AB and born in Perth, Australia, Usher appeared in 32 games for the Calgary Flames U15 AAA where he put up 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points. His scoring total placed him fourth in team scoring.
With the 170th overall pick in the 8th round, Victoria selected forward Peyton Malinski. Hailing from Chandler, Arizona, Malinski played this season for Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 14U AAA. He stands at 6’2, 180 lbs.
To conclude the draft, Victoria added 2007 born goaltender Kason Kobelka. Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, Kobelka played for the Melfort Mustangs in the SJHL this season where he appeared in 32 games putting up 2.33 goals-against-average and a .915 save-percentage, finishing with a 19-9-3 record.
Trades
The Royals made a trade with the Edmonton Oil Kings during the 3rd round of the draft. The Royals traded the 51st overall pick in the 3rd round in exchange for the 134th overall pick in the 6th round, a 6th round pick in 2027, and a 2nd round pick in 2030.
In the 5th round, the Royals traded the 97th overall pick in the 5th round and the 189th overall pick in the 9th round to the Portland Winterhawks for the 148th overall pick in the 7th round and a 4th round pick in 2028.
During the 8th round, the Royals acquired the 166th overall pick from Moose Jaw in exchange for an 8th round pick in 2030.

Royals Acquire Dallas Stars Prospect Cameron Schmidt

GSL Marketing — Thu, 07 May 2026 02:10:35 +0000

Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Royals announced today that they have acquired 2007-born forward Cameron Schmidt from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for the 7^th Overall selection in the 2026 WHL Draft and a 2028 4^th Round selection.
Schmidt, who hails from Prince George, BC, is a prospect for the Dallas Stars in the NHL, having been drafted 94^th overall in the 3^rd round of the 2025 NHL Draft. A finalist for WHL Player of the Year this past season, Schmidt lead the WHL in goal-scoring, totalling 51 goals alongside 49 assists for 100 points in 72 games, placing him third in league point-scoring.
“Cam is as dynamic of a player as there is in this league“ said Royals General Manager Jake Heisinger. “Adding a player of Cam’s caliber signals to our strong group of returning players as well as to our fans the high expectations we have for next season“.
"I’m excited for the opportunity ahead and ready to make the most of it" said Schmidt.
Originally drafted in the first round of the 2022 WHL Draft by the Vancouver Giants, the former RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna standout was traded to the Seattle Thunderbirds in a trade deadline deal during the 2025-26 season. In 195 career WHL games, Schmidt has scored 123 goals and 114 assists for 237 points.

2026 WHL Draft Round 1 Recap

GSL Marketing — Thu, 07 May 2026 02:00:07 +0000

Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Royals make massive moves in the first round of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft, completing a pair of trades including the addition of a shining star to the roster for next season.
Trades
The Royals made early moves in the first round, trading the 5th overall pick to the Wenatchee Wild in exchange for the 28th overall pick, a 1st round pick in 2027, and a 2nd and 3rd round pick in the 2029 draft.
Victoria continued to stay active, later trading the 7th overall pick in 2026 along with a 2028 fourth-round pick to the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for Dallas Stars prospect Cameron Schmidt. Schmidt recorded 100 points during the 2025-26 WHL season, including 51 goals, after being acquired by Seattle from the Vancouver Giants at the trade deadline. The 2025 third round NHL draft prospect finished the season as a Player of the Year finalist, first in league goal-scoring and third in points.

2026 WHL Prospects Draft Show streaming exclusively on Victory+

GSL Marketing — Wed, 06 May 2026 17:08:29 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League will conduct the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft this Wednesday, May 6, with exclusive livestreaming coverage of the first round available for FREE on Victory+.

The 2026 WHL Prospects Draft Show will commence Wednesday, May 6, with pre-draft coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. MT. The first round of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft will get underway at 6 p.m. MT.

The 2026 WHL Prospects Draft Show will be co-hosted by award-winning sports reporter Cami Kepke (WHL Manager, Community Engagement and Content) and WHL alumnus Brad Ginnell (WHL Manager, Hockey Operations and Recruitment), and is set to feature special guests from WHL Clubs, in-depth coverage and analysis of each selection.

Real-time results for the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft will be available at WHL.ca.

The Kelowna Rockets hold the first-overall selection in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft. The only time the Rockets selected first overall in the WHL Prospects Draft, they called the name of Adam Smith in 1991, when the franchise was located in Tacoma, Wash.

Other recent first-overall picks include 2024-25 WHL Rookie of the Year Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips (2024), 2025-26 WHL Eastern Conference First Team All-Star Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert Raiders, 2023), 2024-25 WHL Player of the Year Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers, 2022), and Seattle Kraken forward Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs, 2021), among others.

The first round of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft will stream FREE on Victory+. The remainder of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft will be completed Thursday, May 7, beginning at 10 a.m. MT.

2026 WHL Prospects Draft – First Round Order of Selection

1. Kelowna Rockets (from Lethbridge)	13. Everett Silvertips (from Kamloops
2. Vancouver Giants (from Wenatchee)	14. Lethbridge Hurricanes (from Saskatoon)
3. Wenatchee Wild (from Swift Current)	15. Brandon Wheat Kings
4. Vancouver Giants	16. Spokane Chiefs (from Calgary)
5. Victoria Royals (from Moose Jaw)	17. Red Deer Rebels (from Kelowna)
6. Tri-City Americans	18. Saskatoon Blades (from Prince George)
7. Victoria Royals	19. Tri-City Americans (from Edmonton)
8. Kamloops Blazers (from Red Deer)	20. Penticton Vees
9. Regina Pats	21. Medicine Hat Tigers
10. Portland Winterhawks	22. Swift Current Broncos (from Prince Albert)
11. Seattle Thunderbirds	23. Swift Current Broncos (from Everett)
12. Spokane Chiefs

The order of selection for the second round and all subsequent rounds will be the inverse order of the final standings from the 2025-26 WHL Regular Season. The complete order of selection for the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft can be found at WHL.ca.

Players eligible for the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft are 2011-born players who reside in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Players not selected in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft will remain eligible to be listed by WHL Clubs at any time thereafter.

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.

Runtso and Stewart Listed on NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings

GSL Marketing — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:06:09 +0000

Timofei Runtso and Nolan Stewart have been listed on NHL Central Scouting’s final 2026 NHL Draft Rankings.
Runtso, officially ranked 48th overall among North American Skaters, finished his first year in the WHL with 44 points (11 goals, 33 assists) in 68 games. Having finished first in point scoring among Royals defensemen, the Marina del Rey, California product earned the Victoria Royals Top Defenseman award.
Stewart, ranked 199th overall among North American Skaters, had a career season in his second year with Victoria. The Edmonton, AB based forward more than doubled his career point total this season, amassing 50 points (16 goals, 34 assists) in 65 games. Stewart earned the Royals Fan Choice Award following the conclusion of the regular season. He was originally drafted by Victoria in the fifth round, 104th overall in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.