Royals acquire goaltender Nicholas Cristiano from Rockets

The Victoria Royals have acquired 2004-born goaltender Nicholas Cristiano from the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for a fifth round pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.

The 18-year-old made three appearances for Kelowna this season, posting an 0-1-0-0 record with a 2.61 goals against average (GAA) and a .879 save percentage (SV%), before being reassigned to the West Kelowna Warriors of the BCHL in late October.

After his reassignment to Jr. A, Cristiano played in three games for the Warriors, earning a 1-2-0-0 record, a 4.42 GAA and a .867 SV%.

The Langley, BC product played his minor hockey for the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds U17 and U18 AAA teams of the BCEHL, finishing the 2019-2020 season with a league-best 2.86 GAA over 22 games.

Cristiano stands at 6’2”, 174 lbs and catches left.

He is expected to be available for the Royals next game against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Tuesday, Nov. 29.