RYAN GRAHAM
Observer Reporter
Ryan Gagnon of Quesnel has quietly put together an impressive resume with the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League. Gagnon, who just completed his fourth season with Victoria, has seen his game dramatically grow from his first season. This year he finished with five goals, 20 assists for 25 points and added 87 penalty minutes in 70 games.
He also led the Royals in plus/minus with a plus 45 and won the Unsung Hero award for the team.
Although his offensive number do not stand out he is a reliable defender for the Royals and was a big part of their success.
His stout defensive game helped Victoria finish with 50 wins and 16 loses, which not only clinched the B.C. division, but also saw the Royals crowned as regular season champions with 106 points.
“We had a very productive season,” Gagnon said.
“It got cut a little bit short in the playoffs, but overall I thought individually and as a team we had a great season.”
As an assistant captain with the Royals, one of his jobs was to help mentor the younger players and help them adjust to major junior hockey.
“When you are 16 or 17-years old and come into the league it’s a big adjustment, with moving a way from home and meeting new people,” Gagnon said.
“Although it’s tough at first once you get older and have a good group of guys and an amazing coaching staff it makes it a lot easier.”
During the year a poll of coaches and executives from the Canadian Hockey League rated Gagnon as the hardest hitter in the WHL, which he says is a big part of his game.
“I do enjoy the gritty side of hockey, but I think there is still some offensive upside I can bring to my game,” Gagnon said.
Moving forward he hopes to get an invite from a NHL club and play professional hockey, but if that doesn’t work out he would like to enroll in university or college. Gagnon is just another example of the talented players that the Quesnel Minor Hockey system has produced, as they continue to show what hockey in Quesnel is all about.
