WHL Victoria Royals

Royals Select Two Players in 2012 CHL Import Draft

Published on June 27, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Royals are proud to announce that they have selected goaltender Patrik Polivka out of the Czech Republic as well as Swedish defenceman Rasmus Bengtsson in today's 2012 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft.

The Royals took the 6'0", 168lb goaltender with the 14th overall pick in the annual draft which includes all three leagues (Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League) in the CHL.

The Plzen, Czech Republic native started 31 games for the HC Plzen U20 team, posting a .917 save percentage to go along with a 3.20 goals against average. Polivka recorded a shutout in his only game with the HC Plzen U18 team and also represented the Czech Republic in international competition as a member of both the country's U18 and U19 teams last season. The 2010-11 season saw Polivka record a .922 save percentage and a 2.65 goals against average in 27 games for HC Plzen's U18 team. The 18-year-old was also a member of the Czech Republic U17 team in 2010-11, competing in two games and posting a 2.79 goals against average in those contests.

Polivka spent the majority of the 2009-10 season with HC Plzen's U18 squad, appearing in 34 games to record a 2.90 goals against average and .913 save percentage while also helping Plzen's U16 squad to a league championship. That season, he represented the Czech Republic once again, suiting up for three games with the national U16 team.

The Royals then selected Landskrona, Sweden native and defenceman Rasmus Bengtsson in the second round with the 74th overall pick. Bengtsson, chosen by the Florida Panthers in the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft with the 59th overall pick, spent the majority of last season as a member of the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

With Muskegon, the 6'2", 196lb defenceman notched 10 points (3g-7a) over 34 games played. Bengtsson also played 18 games in the 2011-12 season for Rogle of the Allsvenskan league, compiling three assists through 18 games. Prior to being promoted to the Allsvenskan league, he was a member of Rogle's J20 team where he recorded 11 points (3g-8a) in 15 games played. Bengtsson was also named to the national junior team last season, playing five games for Team Sweden.

In the 2010-11 season, Bengtsson suited up for 45 games with Rogle, amassing nine points (2g-7a) in 45 games played while also competing in 17 games for Rogle's J20 team. Internationally, Bengtsson represented Sweden as a member of the country's U18 roster. The defenceman recorded four assists in six games at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and 12 points (3g-9a) in 19 additional games of international competition.

The 19-year-old Florida draftee spent the bulk of 2009-10 with Rogle's J20 team, competing in 42 games and recording 23 points (3g-20a). Bengtsson represented Sweden as a member of the U17 roster, logging six games at the World U17 Hockey Championship where he netted three points (1g-2a).

Victoria Royals 2012-13 season tickets and mini-plans are on sale now. Guarantee yourself the best seats by visiting www.victoriaroyals.com, calling 250-220-7889, or emailing vrtickets@victoriaroyals.com before its too late!

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