Victoria Royals defenceman Nate Misskey said he absorbed more than few tips in the NHL training camp of the San Jose Sharks. Those pointers were apparently on both sides of the puck as the lanky blueliner scored twice and also drew an assist in a 6-3 Royals victory over the Wenatchee Wild on Saturday evening before 3,031 fans at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
“I learned a lot watching all those pro players and I picked up a lot of little details on how they prepare and get ready,” said Misskey, selected in the fifth round of the 2024 draft by the Sharks.
“It opens your eyes. It’s a another level up.”
Also scoring twice for Victoria was veteran forward Tanner Scott, whose non-stop motor was again evident. Scott also assisted on the tide-turning shorthanded goal, deftly sliding the puck to Misskey for one of the top early-season goals in the Western Hockey League.
“Short-handed goals swing momentum,” said Misskey.
This one certainly did as it tied the game 2-2 in the second period after Wenatchee had jumped out to a 2-0 lead. It was the second time in as many games the Wild led by two goals, including on Friday night at the Memorial Centre, only to see Victoria rebound. The night before, however, the Wild prevailed 4-3 in a shootout. The Royals (5-1-2) at least rallied for a point Friday and now have gained points in seven of their eight games.
“It shows how we respond to adversity,” said Misskey, one of five Royals players who attended NHL training camps.
“We’re not stopping, no matter the score. We have determination.”
Scott concurred: “We are a resilient group and showed that both nights. It shows our character. But we don’t want to start out behind all the time and we need to come out stronger. Once we figure that out, we are going to be an even better team.”
Scott, tabbed Mr. Royal, is a rare WHL player to skate five seasons for the same team: “It’s not often that happens in the WHL and I want to be a mentor to the younger guys and lead by example.”
Prize rookie defenceman Keaton Verhoeff, who will represent Canada in the U-17 World Challenge next month in Sarnia, Ont., added two assists Saturday to push his season total to eight points in eight games for Victoria to show why he is projected to be a major factor in the 2026 NHL draft. Verhoeff was selected fourth overall in the first round of the 2023 WHL prosects draft and had budding star written all over him from the start. But forward Nolan Stewart, another 16-year-old Victoria rookie, was an unassuming fifth-round selection in that 2023 WHL prospects draft, and is turning into a real find as he scored his third goal of the season. Nanaimo-product and 20-year-old WHL veteran forward Brayden Boehm scored his second goal in as many nights for the Royals since being acquired in a trade from the Medicine Hat Tigers that brought him back to the Island. Hayden Moore led Wenatchee (3-3-2) with a goal and assist.
Jayden Kraus recorded the win in the Victoria crease with 15 saves while Noah Stenvig was busier in a 26-save performance for the Wild.
The Royals meet the Prince Albert Raiders (1-3-2) next Friday at the Memorial Centre.
