While fueled by eagerness to get back on the ice, the Victoria Royals remain in limbo as the B.C. division is the lone WHL jurisdiction without an approved return-to-play plan.

The RoyalsB次元官网网址� general manager and head coach said the team is excited to play as the rest of the league has finalized return strategies.

B次元官网网址淭hat just fuels the competitive juices when they see other teams and other players around the league playing,B次元官网网址� Dan Price told Black Press Media Friday. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e going to be watching that and following that very closely, we all are, but itB次元官网网址檚 also going to make them even more eager to get back.B次元官网网址�

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.B次元官网网址檚 provincial health officer, said during a Feb. 16 COVID-19 update that she hasnB次元官网网址檛 received an updated proposal from the WHL B次元官网网址渋n the last few weeks,B次元官网网址� adding she would review such a proposal as long as case trends are going in the right direction.

B次元官网网址淚 hope that if we continue on the trajectory we are, that weB次元官网网址檒l be able to salvage a season come March or April,B次元官网网址� Henry said.

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Price said the league has been B次元官网网址渧ery thoroughB次元官网网址� in its return-to-play efforts.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been very impressed by the efforts by the league, extremely thorough, extremely diligent, extremely timely,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e doing everything they can to help us return to play.B次元官网网址�

The RoyalsB次元官网网址� focus right now, Price said, is giving players a positive experience so they can continue their hockey and personal development.

The teenage players are currently back in their hometowns, so their remote on- and off-ice training is subject to the health protocols and restrictions of their respective area.

B次元官网网址淭he players are doing whatever they can within those jurisdictions,B次元官网网址� Price said.

The Royals are frequently keeping in touch with the players to ensure theyB次元官网网址檙e ready both physically and mentally. The GM said theyB次元官网网址檙e looking at a potential shortened season with a glass-half-full mentality.

B次元官网网址淎t this point, any games that we can play are a good thing, as long as we can play them safely,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪o the players are seeing this as a real opportunity.B次元官网网址�

Royals players have seen a varied level of competition since the pandemic began, including the AHL, lower junior leagues and no games at all.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 been a real spectrum there as far as the overall ability to play in competitive games, but there are some players that have played zero competitive games for 11 months,B次元官网网址� Price said.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 why durability has a been a central message the team is conveying to players.

B次元官网网址淭hings like flexibility, range of motion, recovery, so that when we get back to it, weB次元官网网址檙e avoiding injury and weB次元官网网址檙e staying as healthy as possible, while also being fit and fast and competitive on the ice,B次元官网网址� Price said.

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