The pressure of expectation on first-round hometown picks in the Western Hockey League prospects draft can be immense. The Victoria Royals have tried it twice and both Island players have now been traded.
Defenceman Jason Spizawka, selected 19th overall in the first round by the Royals in the 2019 WHL draft, was sent this week to the Calgary Hitmen for a fourth-round pick in the 2024 WHL draft. The Royals traded defenceman Nolan Bentham, another hometown first-round pick taken 13th overall in 2018, to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 2021 for a second-round selection in the 2024 WHL draft.
Spizawka, whose twin brother Ryan is a forward with the Royals, was an inspirational team leader off the ice but produced only two goals and 18 points on the ice in his 141 games for the Royals between 2020 and 2023.
“The [Spizawka] trade was a difficult one because everybody has nothing but tremendous things to say about Jason’s contributions and impact in the dressing room and in the community,” said Joey Poljanowski, the new vice-president of hockey operations for the Royals
“He gets a fresh start in a new environment, and Calgary was interested in him.”
The Spizawka trade was among three Poljanowski has made since he became vice-president of hockey operations on July 6, a position that is essentially GM of the Royals. He earlier sent veteran forward Teague Patton to the Everett Silvertips for a fourth-round selection in the 2026 WHL draft and on Wednesday acquired forward Hayden Chaloner from the Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange for a ninth round draft pick in 2026.
“We are still in the assessment phase,” said Poljanowski, whose previous position was manager of hockey operations with the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL.
“It’s one step at a time.”
Also brought in by the Royals, on July 24 as the new assistant GM, was Jake Heisinger. He helped build the Winnipeg Ice team that won the WHL regular-season title in 2022-23, with a roster that included first-round NHL draft picks Matthew Savoie, Connor Geekie, Zach Benson and Carson Lambos.
“It will be a collaborative approach,” said Poljanowski.
“Look at [Heisinger’s] track record.”
The lowly Royals, who have missed the playoffs the past two seasons and placed last in the WHL before that in the pandemic bubble season, are hoping Poljanowski and Heisinger can change the club’s direction. Former GM Dan Price has been relieved of that duty and will now concentrate solely on his role as Royals head coach.
“Dan is an incredible human being and his professional and high-end character is known around the WHL and CHL. [But] wearing two hats is a tough position in the CHL. We want to give Dan the resources he needs,” said Poljanowski.
The Royals needed something to get out of their rut and owner Graham Lee finally responded.
“Graham is a passionate owner,” said Poljanowski, who was also with the consistently-successful London Knights of the OHL.
“Graham wants to bring the Memorial Cup to Victoria. That’s the reason I came here. Victoria has an incredible fan base, amazing city and facility, and we believe it should be a destination spot for not only the WHL, but entire CHL.”
Asked about the sort of team he envisions in Victoria, Poljanowski responded: “We want a competitive mindset, right from players in training camp battling and competing for spots. We want a team that tracks hard and hounds the puck. We want a fast, competitive, skilled team. That is the way the game is going and what the NHL is doing.”
