The Victoria Royals have announced that current head coach, Dan Price, has added the title of General Manager to his job description moving forward.
Since taking over the reins as the Royals’ bench boss in 2017-18, Price has led the squad to a 105-81-12-6 regular-season record with the team qualifying for the playoffs every year.
“Dan has done an exceptional job since joining our organization in 2016,” GSL Group President and CEO Graham S. Lee said. “He has an incredible passion and knowledge for the game which translates into creating an environment for those around him including players and all those connected with the Royals to achieve their highest potential.”
Price steps into the role as the third GM in the franchise’s history, filling the vacant position following the departure of the club’s previous GM, Cameron Hope, last month.
“I’m very grateful to Graham for this opportunity and responsibility,” General Manager and Head Coach Dan Price said. “As a team, we’ll do our very best to carry on the great tradition that this organization has built over the years, and to continue to provide our city, region and fans with a world-class hockey experience and a team they can be proud of on and off the ice.”
This will become the first GM job for Price in the Western Hockey League, however, he previously has held the equivalent position at the Junior A level with the Drumheller Dragons. He’s also previously held the role of Manager of Athletic Recruitment with U Sports’ University of Toronto Varsity Blues Men’s Hockey Team.
At the WHL level, the 45-year-old has over a decade of experience. Prior to his work with the Victoria Royals, he worked as a scout for the Regina Pats between 2003 and 2006 before launching his coaching career with the Chilliwack Bruins from 2006 to 2008. Initially he worked as an assistant coach with Chilliwack before being promoted to associate coach in 2008-09. Additionally, Price served as an assistant coach with the Tri-City Americans for two seasons from 2012 to 2014.
The Royals’ bench boss-turned-GM has also coached at the national level, serving Hockey Canada’s Team Pacific as an assistant coach at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, helping guide the squad to a silver medal.
This past season, Price led the team to a 32-24 record, while securing another playoff berth before the year being cut short due to COVID-19.
The Victoria Royals have also said any 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.
Graham Cox
