The Victoria Royals have signed 2006-born goaltender Jayden Kraus to a WHL Standard Play Agreement (SPA).

Kraus, a 6’0” one-hundred- and seventy-pound netminder, is currently playing for the Prince Albert Mintos U18 AAA of the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL). In the first half of the season, he has played in 16 games for the Mintos going 8-5-0-1 overall with a 2.64 GAA and 0.915 SV%.

“We feel Jayden is one of the top goaltenders in the draft. Jayden has the size, athleticism, quickness and flexibility to be a very good WHL goalie. His grit and determination are what stand out the most. He never gives up on a puck. He has a high level of maturity and work ethic that we value in Victoria,” said Ed Fowler, Director of Player Personnel.

The Prince Albert native was playing with the Prince Albert Pirates U15 AA team of the Saskatchewan AA Hockey League (SAAHL) prior to joining the Mintos. During the 2019-20 season, Kraus played in 16 games and earned a 3.19 GAA combined with a 0.907 SV%. The goaltender’s 2020-21 season was cut short after one game due to the pandemic.