Trio of Greater Victoria standouts follow Verhoeff into NHL draft ranks
Trio of Greater Victoria standouts follow Verhoeff into NHL draft ranks
Published 9:30 am Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Just a day after former Victoria Royals blueliner Keaton Verhoeff became the highest draft pick in franchise history, Greater Victoria found three more reasons to celebrate.
Timmy Runtso, Gio Pantelas and Noah Kosick all joined Verhoeff on Saturday (June 27) as players tied to the area selected at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, N.Y.
Runtso, who was passed over in his first year of NHL draft eligibility, heard his name early Saturday morning when the Montreal Canadiens nabbed the soon to be 19-year-old in the second round, 57th overall.
Watching virtually from home in Marina del Rey, Calif., Runtso could hardly believe it.
“I kind of didn’t believe it at first, it was pretty cool,” Runtso said in his post-draft media availability. “I hugged my dad and mom first, and then all of my friends, it was a pretty special moment.”
Runtso joined the Royals last May, and the move to Victoria paid off for Runtso, though it required a historic rule change to happen.
He committed to Miami University (Ohio) in 2024 back when CHL play meant forfeiting college eligibility.
When the NCAA lifted that ban in August 2025, Runtso left the NAHL’s St. Cloud Norsemen for the Royals.
The jump to the WHL provided crucial draft exposure, and he quickly anchored Victoria’s top blueline pair, scoring 44 points in 68 games.
He credited his coaches in Victoria for adjusting his game to the higher WHL pace.
That development is a common thread in Victoria. The day prior, Verhoeff also credited Royals head coach James Patrick with advancing his defensive game.
“I think it’s just my defensive game. I definitely improved on it a lot, especially in my gap, and just being in the right spot in the defensive zone,” Runtso added.
Runtso will join the RedHawks for 2026-27.
Meanwhile, Gio Pantelas went 153rd overall in the fifth round to the Los Angeles Kings.
The imposing blueliner from Langford came up through the Victoria Racquet Club and Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey Association and now plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings.
“Best feeling ever,” said the 18-year-old. “I mean, I got a lot of family coming in, so being able to have that moment in front of them was out of this world.”
He joked his biggest worry walking to the stage was tripping or getting his new Kings sweater stuck.
Pantelas posted 37 points in 68 games for Brandon last season.
He told Victoria News before the draft that he remains committed to the WHL rather than departing for college.
“I have been loyal to the Wheat Kings for two years, and they’ve been amazing two years for me,” Pantelas said. “Right now, my plan is to stick with Brandon.”
Kosick, a product of the Peninsula Minor Hockey Association and Pacific Coast Hockey Academy, was selected 192nd overall by the Anaheim Ducks.
“Congratulations to Noah Kosick on being selected by the Anaheim Ducks in this year’s NHL entry draft! We couldn’t be more proud,” PCHA shared on Instagram.
His selection also completed a unique geographic sweep, with local products landing at all three NHL franchises based in California.
The 17-year-old centreman split last season between the Seattle Thunderbirds and Swift Current Broncos, tallying 54 points in 69 games.
His father, Mark, played junior hockey with the Victoria Salsa (1996-97), before joining the University of Michigan, ultimately winning an NCAA national title in 1997-98.
Noah is committed to join the Michigan Wolverines for the 2027-2028 season.
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