The West Coast storm caused a delay in the start of Saturday night’s Western Hockey League game at the Langley Events Centre but it was worth the wait for the Victoria Royals as they defeated the Vancouver Giants 6-3.
The waves were high on the ferry crossing but the Royals rode them well to move their record to 17-10-5 while the Giants fell to 13-13-4 as Victoria swept the two-game weekend set between the cross-strait rivals which began with the Royals’ 4-0 victory on Friday night at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
“We’ve got a good group of guys in this room and I’m really proud of them and the season we’ve had so far,” said Royals rookie forward Wyatt Danyleyko.
“We’re doing pretty good right now and looking to keep it going. Each game in this league is a hard one so we have to keep focused in that room. You have to come into every game with a winner’s mentality.”
Danyleyko, out of Sooke Minor Hockey, is among three Island-produced players on the Royals with defenceman Seth Fryer from Saanich and forward Braydem Boehm from Nanaimo.
“Coming from the Island and playing for the Royals is a dream come true. It’s nice to have family and friends in the stands. I value my family and friends quite a bit so that’s amazing they can come and watch. Playing in your hometown is unreal and a great opportunity for any player.”
At six-foot-two, the 17-year-old fourth-line centre is still growing into his body. Although his pedigree isn’t as heady as that of two other young players on the Victoria team – 17-year-old centre Cole Reschny has been rated for the first round of the 2025 NHL draft and 16-year-old defenceman Keaton Verhoeff is being touted for the first round in 2026 – Danyleyko is a piece of a Royals team that runs four lines deep.
“I am a 200-foot player who can be trusted on defence and can make plays on offence,” said Danyleyko.
“I try to be that good character, all-round team guy.”
Danyleyko came up through the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton and Pacific Coast Hockey Academy in Langford and is in Grade 12 at Edward Milne Secondary School: “I have a great educational advisor and it’s nice living at home with my parents.”
Danyleyko scored his first WHL goal this season and also has five assists: “It was a great feeling to get the first goal out of the way. My parents were proud of me. My dad’s going to frame the puck and all that kind of stuff.”
The Formula 1 fan, who is also adept at drawing and photography, said if he was asked to pick an NHL role model, it would be forward Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens because “I like his style, energy and vibe.”
On his own terms, Danyleyko has been providing that for the fourth line of a hard-working Royals team that regularly runs four lines.
“A year from now, Wyatt is going to be a really good player in this league when he gets stronger because he skates, knows the game, makes the right play and battles real hard,” said Royals coach James Patrick.
Meanwhile, the Royals continued getting offensive production from their defencemen as blueliners Verhoeff and captain Justin Kipkie, an NHL draft pick of Utah HC, each had a goal and assist, and Nate Misskey two goals. The other goal came from Caleb Matthews, who is part of that fourth line with Danyleyko.
Saturday in Langley was the final game before the Christmas break. The Royals return to Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre Dec. 27-28 for a two-game set against the Prince George Cougars.
