2024 WHL Graduates – Victoria Royals
Over the summer, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2023-24 season in a 22-part, team-by-team series.
We continue with the graduating players from the Victoria Royals.
Braden Holt (G)
Hometown: Bozeman, Mo.
WHL Career Stats: 149 GP – 3.39 GAA-0.893 SV% – 72 wins
WHL Draft: 2018 – 12th Round, 262nd Overall (Everett Silvertips)
After a five-season career split between the Everett Silvertips and Victoria Royals, netminder Braden Holt departs the WHL as a member of the graduating class of 2024. Originally selected as a flyer by the Everett Silvertips in the 12th round of the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, Holt spent two seasons battling for a starting role with the club. Holt recorded his first career win and shutout during the 2020-21 season, besting the Prince George Cougars on January 4, 2020, and blanking the Tri-City Americans on March 6, 2020. His road to becoming a starting netminder culminated during the 2021-22 season, where he manned the crease on 37 occasions – posting a stellar record of 24-6-2-2, a goals against average of 2.56, and a save percentage of 0.909%. In December 2022, the product of Bozeman, Mo. was involved in a goaltender swap with then-Royals’ netminder Tyler Palmer. Now a member of the Royals, Holt would wrap up his junior hockey career on Vancouver Island. In a two-season span, the puck-stopper made 74 starts for Victoria, boasting a record of 30-29-7-5. At the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Holt, an avid music fan, celebrated his career by making his debut as a musical talent. He released a song titled ‘Best Five Years,’ in honour of his junior hockey career. Currently, Holt is using his WHL Scholarship to tend the crease for the University of Manitoba Bisons starting during the 2024-25 season.
Hey @victoriaroyals fans!
How are we feeling about the new guy? Once again, Braden Holt comes up big for his new club. pic.twitter.com/ngo4Gjktmn
— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 31, 2022
Tyson Laventure (F)
Hometown: Lloydminster, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 259 GP – 74G-92A – 166 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – Second Round, 31st Overall (Prince Albert Raiders)
Before the 2023-24 season, the Victoria Royals fanbase was unfamiliar with Tyson Laventure’s work. But, that didn’t stop the 20-year-old from becoming a fan-favourite within the confines of the Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena in Victoria, B.C. Originally selected in the second round, 31st overall by the Prince Albert Raiders at the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, Laventure would make stops in three WHL markets before winding down his WHL tenure with the Royals. Laventure’s first four seasons in the Western League were mainly spent in Prince Albert, Sask., where the forward collected 28 points (15 goals–13 assists) in 93 games. The Lloydminster, Alta., local then took his talents to the ENMAX Centre in Lethbridge, Alta. Acquired via trade by the Hurricanes in December 2021, the high-octane forward called Lethbridge home for parts of two seasons. It was with the Hurricanes that Laventure hit his single-season, career-high in goals, assists, and points – netting 22, 26, and 48, respectively. After a brief stint with the Swift Current Broncos to start the 2023-24 WHL Regular Season, the then-20-year-old was traded for the third time in his junior high career. Landing on Vancouver Island, Laventure wrapped up his WHL career with the Royals. He collected 36 points (15 goals–21 assists) in 39 regular season appearances with the team. Laventure also took part in the 2024 WHL Playoffs, totalling three points (two goals–one assist) in four appearances against the Portland Winterhawks.
Dear, @pdxwinterhawks.
Tyson Laventure and the @victoriaroyals owe you one water bottle. Will follow up to make sure compensation was done fairly. Apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.
Sincerely,
WHL representative.#FeedingtheFuture | #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/zya2msUPpV— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 30, 2024
Dawson Pasternak (F)
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
WHL Career Stats: 151 GP – 47G-78A – 125 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – Fourth Round, 85th Overall (Portland Winterhawks)
Rounding out the Victoria Royals’ list of recent graduates is forward Dawson Pasternak. Pasternak, who hails from Winnipeg, Man., became affiliated with the WHL after seeing his name selected in the fourth round by the Portland Winterhawks at the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft. Pasternak’s Winterhawks debut came on October 1, 2021, while his first career goal came five games later – lighting the lamp in a 4-3 win over the Tri-City Americans on October 16, 2021. The Manitoban played parts of two seasons in the Rose City, hitting the 31-point mark (10 goals–21 assists) in 62 appearances. At the 2023 WHL Trade Deadline, Pasternak was sent to his home province of Manitoba, joining the Brandon Wheat Kings for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. Although a short stint with the Wheaties, Pasternak managed to cobble together 22 points (10 goals–22 assists) in 27 games. Just days into the 2023-24 WHL Regular Season, the forward was on the move again. This time, heading to Victoria, B.C. for his final landing spot in the Western League. As one of three 20-year-olds on the Royals’ roster, the veteran stepped up for his club by nearly tripling his offensive output from previous seasons. In just 62 skates with Victoria, the 5-foot-9 forward boasted 72 points (27 goals–45 assists) – including four game-winning goals. His 72 points were enough to lead all Royals players. Now, Pasternak is slated to join his fellow Western League graduate, Braden Holt, at the University of Manitoba.
🎥HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT🎥
Patience, Precision, Pasternak!@victoriaroyals | #NHLDraft | #WHLHoN pic.twitter.com/ZBQMbpy3OI
— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 21, 2024
