Victoria defender earns nod to Team WHL for SUBWAY® Super Series.

For Immediate Release

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Victoria, BC- The Victoria Royals would like to congratulate defenceman Joe Hicketts who was today named to Team WHL’s roster for the upcoming SUBWAY® Super Series against Team Russia.

Hicketts appointment to Team WHL comes after recording 11 points (4g-7a) in nine games so far this season for Victoria.

The product of Kamloops, BC is coming off of a summer that saw him sign a three-year entry level contract as a free agent with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Detroit Red Wings. Last season, Hicketts recorded six goals and 18 assists for 24 points in 36 games played for the Royals. He also tallied two assists in nine games during the 2014 Playoffs.

Drafted by the Royals in the first round, 12th overall, in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft as the club’s first ever draft pick, Hicketts has registered 59 points (16g-43a) over 113 games with Victoria.

Hicketts becomes the fifth player from the Royals’ franchise to play in the SUBWAY® Super Series. Forward Steven Hodges played for Team WHL in 2012, while forwards Kevin Sundher, Ryan Howse and Mark Santorelli competed at the event in 2011, 2010 and 2007, respectively.

The SUBWAY® Super Series features regional teams of CHL All-Stars competing against the Team Russia in a six-game event serving as an integral part of the identification process for Team Canada prior to the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. The WHL hosts the first two games of the six-game series with the middle leg hosted by the OHL and the final two games played in the QMJHL. Last season the CHL prevailed with their ninth series win in 11 years of this event, earning a 10-8 victory in points which included three regulation wins, two losses, and one defeat by shootout.

Team WHL faces Team Russia for the first two games of the 2014 SUBWAY® Super Series. Saskatoon will kick-off the series on Monday, November 10th while Brandon will welcome the WHL All-Stars and Team Russia for the second game on Tuesday, November 11th. The 2014 SUBWAY® Super Series is supported by CHL associate sponsors Bank of Montreal and Old Dutch. All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet with QMJHL games shown on TVA Sports.

The schedule for the 2014 SUBWAY® Super Series is as follows:

Game 1 – Monday, November 10 at Saskatoon, SK

Game 2 – Tuesday, November 11 at Brandon, MB

Game 3 – Thursday, November 13 at Peterborough, ON

Game 4 – Monday, November 17 at Kingston, ON

Game 5 – Tuesday, November 18 at Bathurst, NB

Game 6 – Thursday, November 20 at Rimouski, QC

The Royals wrap up their road trip with contests on Friday, October 17th vs. the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Saturday October 18th against the Kootenay Ice. Puck drop for both games are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Victoria will then return home for a pair of games vs. the Vancouver Giants on Friday October 24th and Saturday October 25th. Friday’s contest marks the unveiling of the Royals third jersey, while Saturday’s game is the annual Pink in the Rink Night at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Get your tickets today by calling 250-220-7777 or visiting at www.victoriaroyals.com

Pro-rated Royals season ticket packages are still available and offer a host of fantastic benefits. Get more details by calling 250-220-7889 or visiting at www.victoriaroyals.com. Join the Royal family today.

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