After a disappointing one goal loss to Atlanta in the USA Hockey Jr Tier III National Championship Game the Jr. Royals players returned home with some extra items.   Not only did they have silver medals, a trophy and a banner but many of the players had been approached by scouts from Colleges, NAHL and USHL teams.    
Coach Hoey said "Several of the boys were given offers and invitations to colleges and team camps for next season, it was nice to see the boys efforts were being rewarded."   Coach Hoey expects many additional offers from scouts will come in the next week or two.  "Our boys received a lot of attention from the scouts at Nationals,  we were the underdog here, a young team with a very short bench and the boys played their hearts out making it to the biggest stage, the National Finals.   I'm very proud of our players and staff for everything we accomplished."

Coach Hoey said "Our job is to move the boys on to college or higher levels of hockey, not necessarily to win titles, today we did both very well."     

In their last locker room meeting after the National Championship loss Coach Hoey spoke to his team knowing that most of the players will not be here next year.   After congratulating and thanking every player for their hard work he told the boys "We will be back here again".  After being in the Nationals for three straight years including four of the past five,  they will be.

The day after their Jr National Championship Game the players were all present at the rink for the 12-13 Jr Royals tryouts.  Grouped together  not wanting it to end they watched  the tryouts of the players they know will take their spots next season.   A parent of the 11-12 team also watching the tryouts said it best, "we had a great group, a great run, and a lot of fun.  The boys trying out for next season have some big shoes to fill".