Wednesday night saw the Victoria Royals play their 34th game of the year, meaning they have now officially reached the midway point of the 2021-2022 season. To celebrate, we’re handing out awards for the team's top performers from the year’s first half:
Most Valuable Player: Bailey Peach
This one’s an obvious choice, anyone who has watched Royals hockey this year will tell you Peach has been the best player on the ice all season.
Since arriving in Victoria via QMJHL waivers, the Falmouth, NS native has done nothing but impress. He leads the team in both goals (21) and assists (26), while his 47 total points currently ranks seventh in the entire WHL.
The forward brings so much to the Royals locker room–leadership, playmaking, puck-handling, penalty killing–that it is hard to express his true value to the team this season.
However, the fact that he has scored over 20% of his teams goals and has been involved in nearly 50% of all goals (either recording a goal or assist) generated by his team demonstrates his immense impact in the offensive end of the ice.
It’s been a season full of magic moments for the 20-year-old, from scoring the teddy bear goal to setting a franchise record with seven points in a game, Peach has put the league on notice and become one of the most valuable players in the WHL.
Best Defenceman: Gannon Laroque
The San Jose Sharks draft pick has developed into one of the league’s top defenders, becoming one of the most valuable pieces for the Royals this season with his elite two-way skill set.
Laroque has been a constant presence on the Victoria blue line, playing in every one of the team’s 34 games while recording 5 goals and 26 assists for a total of 31 points, which ranks third on the team and fifth among all WHL defencemen.
While his offensive skill is undeniable, the Edmonton native routinely displays elite defensive attributes as well, with the ability to block passing lanes and shut down opposing forwards with ease. Additionally, Laroque has little trouble throwing his 6’2” frame around when the situation dictates.
Compounding his skills on the ice is his ability as a leader in the Royals’ dressing room, where his ‘grind it out’ attitude and consistency on the ice has set an important example for a relatively young Victoria defensive depth chart.
It is clear that Laroque has become a cornerstone of the organization in 2021-2022, and there is little doubt that he’ll continue to play that role the rest of the year.
Best Goaltender: Tyler Palmer
It was a tough choice between Palmer and fellow goaltender Campbell Arnold, as both have been rock-solid between the pipes for the Royals this year. However, Palmer’s 3.43 goals against average (GAA) and .910 save percentage (SV%) gives him a slight advantage over Arnold’s 4.02 GAA and .859 SV%, although the latter does have a better record at 6-6-2 against the former’s 7-11-2. But the fact that Palmer has recorded the team’s only shut out ultimately gives him the edge over his partner.
Palmer stopped a team record 50 shots during that shut out in a 3-0 win over the Vancouver Giants on Dec. 29, something that had only been done twice in the WHL since 2011.
The Fernie, BC native was named co-goaltender of the week by the WHL following that performance, an award he shared–like so many other things–with Campbell Arnold.
The consistent play of both net-minders has been a huge asset for the team this year and will be key to their success the rest of the way.
Top Rookie: Tyler Palmer
Did we forget to mention Tyler Palmer is a rookie?
The 18-year-old net-minder was signed by the Royals prior to the 2021-2022 season after a pair of standout seasons with the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).
Beginning the season as a rookie goaltender in the WHL is never an easy task, but Palmer has risen to the occasion, becoming not just one of the best rookies, but one of the top young goaltending talents in the league. His .910 SV% currently ranks eighth among all qualified WHL goaltenders while his 732 total saves ranks sixth.
Palmer is just one of a number of impressive rookies on this year's Royals roster.
Forward Anthony Wilson has shown flashes of greatness at times and seems to be getting better every game, ranking first among all Victoria rookies with eight points. His brother Wyatt Wilson, also playing in his first WHL season, has been a standout on the Royals blue line, providing solid defensive play game after game.
If the Royals’ young core can continue to demonstrate the improvement we have seen so far this season, we are in for a bright future in Victoria.
Most Improved: Brayden Shuurman
If it wasn’t for the extraordinary season we’ve seen from Bailey Peach, we would be talking about Brayden Shuurman as the most valuable player on the Royals’ roster, but he’ll have to settle for most improved for now.
Through 34 games this season, Shuurman has recorded 21 goals and 11 assists for 32 total points, which ranks second on the team, and marks a huge improvement over his 11 total points through 22 games last season.
The Abbotsford, BC native has caught the attention of a number of NHL scouts, and was recently ranked inside the top 60 North American skaters and eighth among WHL forwards in the latest draft rankings by NHL Central Scouting.
He has benefited from an increased role in the Royals’ offensive game plan, and the chemistry he has developed playing alongside Peach on the team’s top line has made the two one of the most deadly duos the WHL has to offer, accounting for over nearly 50% of all offence generated by the Royals this season.
Shuurman will remain a key part to the Royals success in the final 34 games of the season, and could very well find himself in an NHL camp this summer.
