Royals getting a leg up

By Darryl G. Smart

Jason DoPaco and the Langton Royals are certainly getting in the mindset of preparing its second season in the Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League.

After a solid 23-13-3 inaugural season, DoPaco is already planning for next season, having signed a pair of players.

Always looking to build a team from the back end out, the Royals signed goalie Jayvan Stalthanee, from Black Lake, Sask.

The 2003-born goaltender comes to the Royals to better develop his skills. DoPaco said his aspirations are to become a starting goalie through hard work and good play, and ultimately wants to move on to the professional ranks in the world of hockey.

The Royals have also inked defencemen Zackary Tanguay. The 19-year-old, from Terrebonne, PQ., played for Somang Academy in Montreal last season.

“Zackary continues a tradition we started in our first season with Somang Academy,” DoPaco said. “We enjoy the players from Somang as they bring the things we need to our team showing what an excellent job they are doing with these boys at Somang. We are excited to have Zackary here in the Royals family and are eager to get to work with him. He brings a great attitude and the desire to get better every day. With those ingredients Zackary will do well with us.”

Tanguay is already looking forward to becoming a Royal.

“I wanted to become a Royal because of the tradition that has began with Somang and because I’ve only heard positive things about this program,” Tanguay said. “My goals for this season as a Royal are to become a better player and get stronger in the gym which will make me a better overall athlete. I want to get better on my first pass and make decisions better, as well as play confident all the time.”

DoPaco said the Royals have a great base with returning players, and is happy that the recruiting process, with the right players is already in motion.

“The team and product on the ice was competitive, “ DoPaco said. “Off the ice as a team, the boys bonded well and were family. We preach that on a day to day basis and it was very nice to see it actually come to reality throughout the season. Moving forward we know we have the right guys coming back, with the right attitudes, that we need to progress our program. We will be filling the void as we have a few guys progressing to the professional levels over seas and another two that may possibly be headed off to school. Progressing players to higher levels of hockey and developing them correctly so that they are impact players at the next level is our goal and we were successful this year in doing that this season.”