Five Victoria Royals will look to impress their respective NHL clubs as they compete in prospect showcases across North America before regular camps begin this month.
Defenceman Gannon Laroque will man the San Jose Sharks’ back end during this year’s Rookie Faceoff in Las Vegas from Sept. 15 to 18. The contest will feature top prospects from the Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights.
Laroque has 64 points in 91 career games with the Royals and was drafted 103 overall by the Sharks in 2021. He also played for the California team’s AHL affiliate during the 2021-2022 campaign.
Also playing in the Rookie Faceoff will be Reggie Newman and Justin Kipkie for the Coyotes.
Kipkie was the first Royal taken in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft as Arizona used the 161st overall pick to get the defenceman. The Calgary native had eight goals and 25 assists for the Royals last season, with those 33 points being the most by a rookie defenceman in the WHL.
The undrafted 18-year-old Newman is going into his third season with Victoria and has so far amassed 39 points in 108 games.
Nate Misskey will be among the contingent of Edmonton Oilers rookies competing against prospects from the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks at the Young Stars Classic in Penticton from Sept. 15 to 18. The defenceman had five goals and added nine assists in his first full season with the Royals in the 2022-2023 campaign.
Kalem Parker and the Minnesota Wild will take part in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase from Sept. 15 to 17. The Clavet, Sask. product was taken 181st overall by the Wild at the draft in June after he earned the Royals’ top defenceman distinction last season.
Former Royals forward Tarun Fizer has been named to the Ottawa Senators rookie team that will take on counterparts from New Jersey, Pittsburgh and Montreal at the Prospect Challenge in Buffalo, N.Y.
Fizer had 112 points in 190 games over four seasons with the Royals.