The Victoria Royals’ over-age situation for the 2014-15 Western Hockey League season is suddenly more complicated.
Forward Steven Hodges signed an NHL entry-level contract Sunday with the Florida Panthers, the team that drafted him 84th overall in the third round in 2012.
Royals GM Cam Hope also said goaltender Patrik Polivka is expected to sign a pro contract with his hometown Plzen team in the Czech Republic.
“It’s been stressful, but I couldn’t be happier,” said Hodges.
The draft class of 2012 had until 5 p.m. Sunday to be signed. Those 2012 NHL draftees not signed by that time are now free agents. That includes 20-year-old Royals defenceman Travis Brown, who was not inked by the Chicago Blackhawks.
“My goal is to get stronger and better and to crack that Panthers line-up,” Hodges said from his home in Delta.
“I’d be happy to start in the farm system.”
How would he feel about the Panthers telling him he might be better served by another season in junior?
It’s not his first choice, of course, but Hodges said: “If it’s back to Victoria, I’d be fine with that.”
If he is returned to the Royals, Hodges would have to sit out the first five games because of a suspension incurred in the final playoff game of 2014 against the Portland Winter Hawks.
Hodges said he knows the jump to the next level is a difficult one.
“Now, I’ll be skating against men and not 16- to 20-year-olds . . . I’m going to do what it takes to get stronger and faster,” said the six-foot, 187-pounder.
When it comes to NHL-signed players, junior clubs such as the Royals “just have to wait and see because we’re at the mercy of the NHL clubs,” said Hope.
“There is a chance Steven could come back to us … he’s not had a full season in terms of health.”
Hodges, with pro speed and stick skills, was limited to 60 games in 2012-13 with the Royals (28 goals and 51 points) and 52 games last season (21 goals and 47 points). He played the full 72 games in 2011-12 with 21 goals and 46 points. He can be a nervy and clutch player and has 20 points in 19 career playoff games in a Royals jersey over the past three years.
“Steven is a talented player who needs to play to his strengths and stay healthy,” said Hope.
As for Polivka, last year’s main goaltender for the Royals, Hope said: “We are most likely to lose Patrick [to pro in the Czech Republic].”
That means Coleman Vollrath will be the Royals’ No. 1 in the crease next season.
The six-foot-three Austin Carroll, a 20-year-old power forward who led the Royals in goals last season with 34, will likely earn a pro tryout, noted Hope, as likely will mobile blue-liner Brown. Twenty-year-old forward Brandon Magee, who led the Royals last season with 67 points, has received a pro tryout offer in the Czech Republic.
Each WHL club is allowed three 20-year-olds in the roster.
“We could have five or six 20-year-olds in training camp or two . . . you just never know [with over-agers],” said Hope.
Meanwhile, graduated Royals forward and 2012 fifth-round Buffalo draft pick Logan Nelson was not signed by the Sabres and is now a free agent. Nelson was a 20-year-old last season with the Royals.
