The Victoria Royals will open their 2015-16 Western Hockey League season at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Sept. 25 versus the Portland Winterhawks.
This is the first time the team has opened its campaign at home since moving to Vancouver Island. This will also mark the first time that Victoria has opened its home schedule versus the Portland Winterhawks.
The Royals’ home opener is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year.
The WHL will release its complete 2015-16 schedule in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Royals’ forward Tyler Soy and defenceman Chaz Reddekopp have been ranked by NHL Central Scouting for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft in Sunrise, Fla. on June 26 and 27.
The two skaters were recently part of 120 invitees to participate in the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo, NY.
The combine tested the players’ fitness levels through a series of exercises and medical exams. In addition, it gave NHL amateur scouts and general managers an opportunity for one-on-one interviews with each prospect.
Out of the 10 fitness exercises at the combine, Soy and Reddekopp finished in the top 10 on two occasions each. Soy ranked sixth and seventh in both agility and balance events, while Reddekopp finished second in anaerobic fitness: mean power output and tied for seventh in aerobic fitness: test duration.