Victoria acquires 1996-born import defender & 1995-born goaltender from Moose Jaw for 1995-born import forward Axel Blomqvist.

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Victoria, BC- The Victoria Royals are pleased to announce that the club has acquired import defenceman Alexey Sleptsov and goaltender Justin Paulic, along with a sixth round draft pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft from the Moose Jaw Warriors. In exchange the Royals have sent import forward Axel Blomqvist, a third round pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft and a fifth round pick in the 2017 draft to the Warriors.

Sleptsov, a native of Moscow, Russia is in his second year in the league and has recorded 18 assists in 34 games for Moose Jaw. Sleptsov has played in 100 WHL regular season games with the Warriors and has notched 43 points (4g-39a).

The 6-1, 172 lb defender has suited up for the Russian National Junior team on three occasions. This past year Sleptsov took part in the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament and the World Under-18 Hockey Championships, where he registered three points (1g-2a) in five games and one goal in four games respectively. He also won a silver medal for Russia in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he tallied two assists in four contests.

The Warriors selected Sleptsov in the 2013 CHL Import Draft in the first round, 19th overall.

Paulic joins the Royals after playing in 18 games for Moose Jaw this season. The 6-1, 195 lb netminder has posted a 6-8-1-1 record with a goals against average (GAA) of 3.50, a 0.895 save percentage (SV%) and one shutout. The 19-year-old goalie has played in 132 WHL games with the Warriors and has registered a mark of 40-61-8-11 with a 3.39 GAA, a SV% of 0.895 and one shutout.

A Thompson, MB product was drafted by Moose Jaw in the eighth round, 164th overall in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.

Going to the Warriors is 1995-born import forward Blomqvist. In 34 games with the Royals this season he has recorded 29 points (14g-15a). The 6-6, 212 lb winger has spent three seasons in the WHL split between Victoria and the Lethbridge Hurricanes, recording 118 points (45g-73a) in 158 games.

The Royals return to action on Thursday to take on the seventh ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League the Medicine Hat Tigers. Victoria will close out their seven game homestand with a two-game series against BC Division rivals the Prince George Cougars on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. for all three games. Get your tickets today by calling 250-220-7777 or visiting at www.victoriaroyals.com

Burgers and hockey, a winning combination. Take the stress out of arranging dinner by treating everyone to a White Spot Family Pak. For $65 you get two adult tickets, and two child tickets to a game of your choice, plus two Legendary burger platters and two Pirate Pak voucher that are valid for any night. Visit the Select Your Tickets Box Office or call 250-220-7777 to purchase your Family Pak today.







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