Victoria Royals 2015 – 2016 in Photos
It has been a great 2015-16 regular season for the Victoria Royals as they won the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for the best overall record in the WHL. The Royals final home game is tonight versus the Everette Silvertips followed by their awards ceremony Sunday and then a week of practice prior to their first two home games Friday March 25th and Saturday March 26th.
If I were to single things out a few things I think have separated the Royals from the pack this year is would be great leadership from Joe Hicketts, confidence in Logan Fisher in face-offs, a combination of two great goaltenders and wonderful speed for the forwards.
But there is one thing the Royals began to do this year that as a photographer was not great but as an athlete I could see the value. They stopped high-fiveing along the bench following goals and compared to other teams stopped celebrating goals all together. Last nights game versus Everette is a perfect example. Compare the celebration of the Silvertips first goal to any of Royals goals here. Royals always celebrate as a team and head back to the bench ready for the next face-off at centre. This all comes from Dave Lowry who should be awarded WHL coach of the year for the way he has handled his team especially having spent the mid part of the season with the Canadian Junior Team.
Below are my favorite photos of the year, my favorite being Joe Hicketts hit on Edmonton Oil Kings bruiser Brandon Baddock. For two reasons: the first is was a great hit that I got in frame using a 300mm from the bench and the second because I was wearing a go pro and it shows just how fast the play moves from ice level.
Have fun at the game tonight and if you are not lucky enough to have tickets get your tickets for the playoffs as it is sure to be very entertaining.
The Victoria Royals beat the Portland Winterhawks 4-1 in the opening game of the 2015/2016 Western Hockey League season on Friday September 26, 2016 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Coleman Vollrath grabs a drink from the bench as the Victoria Royals beat the Portland Winterhawks 6-5 on Saturday September 26, 2016 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Chaz Reddekopp is involved in a mele as the Victoria Royals beat the Portland Winterhawks 6-5 on Saturday September 26, 2016 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
The Canadian National anthem is sung prior to a game in which the Victoria Royals lost to the Spokane Chiefs 3-1 on Tuesday October 6th at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Victoria Royals Joe Hicketts hits Spokane Chief Dominic Zwerger in a game in which the Victoria Royals lost to the Spokane Chiefs 3-1 on Tuesday October 6th at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Victoria Royals Coleman Vollrath looks for the puck in a game in which the Royals lost to the Spokane Chiefs 3-1 on Tuesday October 6th at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Victoria Royals Logan Fisher fights Spokane Chief Riley Whittingham in a game in which the Victoria Royals lost to the Spokane Chiefs 3-1 on Tuesday October 6th at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Victoria Royal Logan Fisher skates the puck up the ice in a game in which the Victoria Royals beat the Spokane Chiefs 4-1 on Wednesday October 7th at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Victoria Royal Ryan Gagnon and Spokane Chief Dominic Zwerger look to the score board in a game in which the Victoria Royals beat the Spokane Chiefs 4-1 on Wednesday October 7th at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Victoria Royals head coach Dave Lowry points his finger while speaking with an official during a game in which the Victoria Royals beat the Spokane Chiefs 4-1 on Wednesday October 7th at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Victoria Royals Coleman Vollrath and Chaz Reddekopp hug following a game in which the Victoria Royals beat the Spokane Chiefs 4-1 on Wednesday October 7th at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Victoria Royals Coleman Vollrath waits to come out for the three stars following a game in which the Victoria Royals beat the Spokane Chiefs 4-1 on Wednesday October 7th at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Victoria Royal Coleman Vollrath talks with a Naden goaltender following the Royals game at the Naden naval base in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on September 13th, 2015.
Victoria Royal Joe Hicketts drives a zamboni following the Royals game at the Naden naval base in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on September 13th, 2015.
Victoria Royal Ralph Jarratt hits Lethbridge Hurricanes Ryan Vandervlis at the Save-on-Foods Memorial centre on October 27, 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia Canada. The Hurricanes beat the Royals 4-3 in a shoot-out.
Victoria Royal Coleman Vollrath watches as a Lethbridge Hurricane falls to the ice at the Save-on-Foods Memorial centre on October 27, 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia Canada. The Hurricanes beat the Royals 4-3 in a shoot-out.
Dante Hannoun runs onto the ice prior to a game in which the Seattle Thunderbirds beat the Victoria Royals 3-1 at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre on October 14, 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
A general view of the ice during vintage game night in which the Seattle Thunderbirds beat the Victoria Royals 3-1 at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre on October 14, 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
A fan holds a photo and hockey card of Grant Fuhr prior to a game in which the Seattle Thunderbirds beat the Victoria Royals 3-1 at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre on October 14, 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Former Victoria Cougar Grant Fuhr prior to a game in which the Seattle Thunderbirds beat the Victoria Royals 3-1 at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre on October 14, 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Victoria Royal Ryan Gagnon gets in a fight during a game in which the Seattle Thunderbirds beat the Victoria Royals 3-1 at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre on October 14, 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Marcel Ibragimov of the Victoria Royals tries to gain control of the puck versus the Edmonton Oil Kings at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on November 18, 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia Canada. The Royals beat the Oil Kings 6-3.
Victoria Royal Joe Hicketts battles for the puck with Edmonton Oil Kings Captain Brandon Baddock at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on November 18, 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia Canada. The Royals beat the Oil Kings 6-3.
Victoria Royals Matthew Phillips and Joe Hicketts celebrate after beating the Edmonton Oil Kings 6-3 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on November 18, 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia Canada.
Victoria Royals Keith Anderson watches as Medicine Hat Tiger Chad Butcher dives for the puck at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre on December 1, 2015 in Victoria British Columbia, Canada. The Royals beat the Tigers 3-1.
Victoria Royals Joe Hickets smiles for the camera at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre on December 1, 2015 in Victoria British Columbia, Canada. Victoria beat the Tigers 3-1.
Victoria Royals Ryan Peckford sits on the bench during a game versus the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre on December 1, 2015 in Victoria British Columbia, Canada. Victoria beat the Tigers 3-1.
Victoria Royal Ethan Price watches as the puck goes into the net during a game versus the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre on December 1, 2015 in Victoria British Columbia, Canada. Victoria beat the Tigers 3-1.
A Victoria Royals bobblehead Joe Hicketts sits on the bench in front of the real Joe Hicketts in a game in which the Royals beat the Kootenay Ice 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre in Victoria British Columbia, Canada on December 1, 2015.
Victoria Royals forward Matthew Phillips talks to the media following a game in which the Royals beat the Kootenay Ice 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre in Victoria British Columbia, Canada on December 1, 2015.
Victoria Royals goaltender Coleman Vollrath talks to Cliff LeQuesne following a game in which the Royals beat the Kootenay Ice 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre in Victoria British Columbia, Canada on December 1, 2015.
Victoria Royal Griffen Outhouse makes a glove save on Tri-City American Parker Bowles during a game in which the Royals lost to the Americans 4-3 in a shoot-out at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre in Victoria British Columbia, Canada on January 5, 2016.
Victoria Royal Mathew Phillips sits on the bench during a game in which the Royals lost to the Tri-City Americans 4-3 in a shoot-out at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre in Victoria British Columbia, Canada on January 5, 2016.
A fan holds up a Alex Alex Forsberg sign during a game in which the Royals beat to the Tri-City Americans 6-2 at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre in Victoria British Columbia, Canada on January 6, 2016.
Victoria Royal Ryan Gagnon checks Tri-City American Michael Rasmussen during a game in which the Royals beat the Tri-City Americans 6-2 at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre in Victoria British Columbia, Canada on January 6, 2016.
A fan yells over the glass during a game in which the Royals beat the Tri-City Americans 6-2 at the Save-on-Foods memorial centre in Victoria British Columbia, Canada on January 6, 2016.
Victoria Royal Tyler Soy watches the puck prior to a face-off in a game versus Kelowna Rockets at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 16, 2016. The Rockets beat the Royals 2-1 in overtime.
Victoria Royals goaltender Griffen Outhouse takes a drink of water during a game Kelowna Rockets at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre versus the on January 16, 2016. The Rockets beat the Royals 2-1 in overtime.
Victoria Royal Vladimir Bobylev skates behind the net as the Royals beat the Medicine Hat Tigers 8-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 20, 2016.
Victoria Royal Dante Hannoun celebrates a goal as the Royals beat the Medicine Hat Tigers 8-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 20, 2016.
The Victoria Royals beat the Medicine Hat Tigers 8-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 20, 2016. Scott Walford, Marsel Ibragimov and Ty Westgard all recorded their first points in the Western Hockey League in the game.
Victoria Royal Vladimir Bobylev celebrates a goal versus the Vancouver Giants during a game in which the Royals beat the Giants 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 24, 2016.
Victoria Royal Coleman Vollrath walks out onto the ice prior to a game versus the Vancouver Giants in which the Royals would beat the Giants 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 24, 2016.
Victoria Royal forward Matthew Phillips adjusts his helmet prior to a game versus the Vancouver Giants in which the Royals would win 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 24, 2016.
Victoria Royal Griffen Outhouse walks out onto the ice prior to a game versus the Vancouver Giants in which the Royals would beat the Giants 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 24, 2016.
Victoria Royal Joe Hicketts tapes his stick during a game versus the Vancouver Giants in which the Royals would beat the Giants 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 24, 2016.
Victoria Royal Coleman Vollrath takes a drink of Gatorade during a game versus the Vancouver Giants in which the Royals would beat the Giants 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 24, 2016.
Victoria Royal Marsel Ibragimov battles for the puck against Owen Hardy during a game versus the Vancouver Giants in which the Royals would beat the Giants 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on January 24, 2016.
Victoria Royal Jared Dmytriw watches the puck go over the shoulder of goaltender Nik Amundrud during a game versus the Calgary Hitmen in which the Royals would beat the Hitmen 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 2nd, 2016.
Victoria Royal Matthew Phillips and Alex Forsberg celebrate a goal during a game versus the Calgary Hitmen in which the Royals would beat the Hitmen 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 2nd, 2016.
Victoria Royal head coach Dave Lowry during a game versus the Calgary Hitmen in which the Royals would beat the Hitmen 5-1 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 2nd, 2016.
Victoria Royal Matthew Phillips sends Spencer Gerth into the bench during a game versus the Everett Silvertips in which the Royals would win 6-4 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 8th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Jared Dmytriw battles with Patrick Bajkov during a game versus the Everett Silvertips in which the Royals would win 6-4 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 8th, 2016.
Victoria Royal goaltender Griffen Outhouse and Silvertips goaltender Carter hart pass each other during a game in which the Royals would beat the Silvertips 6-4 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 8th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Matthew Phillips scores a goal over the glove hand of Carter hart during a game versus the Everett Silvertips in which the Royals would win 6-4 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 8th, 2016.
Victoria Royal goaltender Griffen Outhouse high fives with team mascot Marty the Marmot following a game in which the Royals beat the Silvertips 6-4 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 8th, 2016.
Zara Light searches for Marty the marmot during a skate with the players event following a game in which the Victoria Royals beat the Everett Silvertips 6-4 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 8th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Matthew Philips signs autographs during a skate with the players event following a game in which the Victoria Royals beat the Everett Silvertips 6-4 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 8th, 2016.
Victoria Royals mascot Marty the Marmot signs autographs during a skate with the players event following a game in which the Victoria Royals beat the Everett Silvertips 6-4 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 8th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Jordan Wharrie skates onto the ice prior to a game in which the Victoria Royals would beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 8-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 9th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Mathew Phillips get some encouragement from team athletic therapist Khore Elliot prior to a game in which the Victoria Royals would beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 8-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 9th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Vladimir Bobylev skates up the ice during a game in which the Victoria Royals would beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 8-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 9th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Coleman Vollrath walks past the sticks and onto the ice prior the the second period of a game in which the Victoria Royals would beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 8-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 9th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Joe Hicketts hip checks Edmonton Oil Kings captain Brandon Baddock during a game in which the Victoria Royals would beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 8-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 9th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Joe Hicketts punches Edmonton Oil Kings captain Brandon Baddock during a game in which the Victoria Royals would beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 8-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 9th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Joe Hicketts smiles following a game in which the Victoria Royals beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 8-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 9th, 2016.
Victoria Royal goaltender Griffen Outhouse runs onto the ice prior to a game in which the Royals would beat the Kamloops Blazers 4-1 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 19th, 2016.
A Victoria Royal fan cheers on Pink in the Rink night during a game in which the Royals would beat the Kamloops Blazers 6-3 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 20th, 2016.
A Victoria Royal fan cheers on Pink in the Rink night during a game in which the Royals would beat the Kamloops Blazers 6-3 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 20th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Tyler Soy scores a goal during Pink in the Rink night in which the Royals beat the Kamloops Blazers 6-3 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 20th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Coleman Vollrath takes a break a the bench during Pink in the Rink night in which the Royals beat the Kamloops Blazers 6-3 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 20th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Mathew Phillips scores a goal during Pink in the Rink night in which the Royals beat the Kamloops Blazers 6-3 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on February 20th, 2016.
Victoria Royals forwards Jared Dmytriw, Logan Fisher and Regan Nagy pose for a photo following a team practice at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on March 10th, 2016.
Victoria Royals goaltending coach Lynden Sammartino talks with goaltender Coleman Vollrath during a team practice at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on March 10th, 2016.
Victoria Royals Chaz Reddekopp and Tyler Thompson following a team practice at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on March 10th, 2016.
Victoria Royal Coleman Vollrath concentrates in his goal crease prior to a game in which the Royals would beat the Prince George Cougars 6-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on March 11, 2016.
Victoria Royal Joe Hicketts pours water on himself prior to the second period in a game in which the Royals would beat the Prince George Cougars 6-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on March 11, 2016.
Victoria Royal Tyler Soy skates the puck into the goal crease during a game in which the Royals would beat the Prince George Cougars 6-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on March 11, 2016.
Victoria Royal Joe Hicketts laughs with Coleman Vollrath following a game in which the Royals beat the Prince George Cougars 6-2 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on March 11, 2016.