In a world without sports, it is easy to forget that organizations can still make changes and that is exactly what the Victoria Royals did Wednesday, announcing they were parting ways with General Manager Cameron Hope.
The decision to have Hope not return in his leadership role next season was made by GSL Group, the parent company of the Victoria Royals.
Hope was hired by the hockey club back in 2012 and, at the time of his departure from the organization, held the title of GM, President and Alternate Governor. He was the second general manager in the team’s history and fourth in franchise history.
The native of Edmonton, AB kicked off his eighth year as GM with the club at the onset of the 2019-2020 season. Despite the season being cut short as a result of COVID-19, Hope helped build a club that finished with a 32-24 record, while clinching a playoff berth – something the club did every season under Hope.
Although the club secured a playoff berth all eight seasons with Hope at the helm, they never made it through the Western Conference semi-finals.
Hope’s work with Victoria also earned him league accolades, winning the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy for WHL Executive of the Year in 2013-14.
Prior to coming to the Island, the Hope was a member of the management team for the National Hockey League’s (NHL) New York Rangers from 2004 to 2011, first as Vice President of Hockey Administration, Research and Development followed by a stint as the Assistant General Manager. Here, he oversaw the day-to-day work of the hockey operations department and assisted in all contract work for the Rangers as the hockey club’s salary cap specialist.
“We would like to thank Cameron for contributions and for guiding our franchise,” GSL Group President and CEO Graham S. Lee said. “The COVID-19 crisis has given us the time to reassess our organization and to set a new direction. We are committed to finding strong leadership that will help the Royals reach their full potential both on-and-off the ice.”
The Victoria Royals offered no news on who would be stepping into the vacant leadership roles for the 2020-2021 season. They did, however, provide an update for ticket holders, who had to forgo games as a result of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
“Fans who still hold unused vouchers, or had purchased tickets, for any of the team’s three cancelled regular season home games in March are encouraged to keep them for use during the upcoming 2020-21 season. Royals Ticket Pack Members should also keep an eye on their mailbox over the next few weeks for full renewal details, including missed game credits,” read a press release.
Graham Cox
