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Victoria Royals winger wears the red and white of Switzerland at world juniors

Keanu Derungs looks to help his country medal for just the second time in seasonal hockey favourite
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Victoria Royals winger Keanu Derungs, left, shown here in Western Hockey League action against the Calgary Hitmen, suits up for his native Switzerland at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships in Edmonton this holiday season. (Kevin Light/Courtesy Victoria Royals)

Last season’s Victoria Royals’ rookie of the year has new line on his hockey resume.

Keanu Derungs added to his hockey accomplishments this holiday season, as the 18-year-old donned the jersey of his native Switzerland at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton.

The Swiss had a rough time of it, finishing at the bottom of their pool and failing to make the playoff round. Derungs did not hit the scoresheet in four games.

The 5’11”, 168-pound left winger scored 15 goals and added 14 assists in 57 games with the Western Hockey League club in the 2019-20 season. He joined a team that surprised some tournament watchers last year. They were ranked third overall after a solid round robin showing, but lost 3-1 to eventual finalist Russia in the quarter-finals.

Switzerland, played in Group A, beginning the tournament on Christmas Day versus Slovakia. Also in the pool were reigning gold medallist Canada – this time with former Victoria Grizzlies star Alex Newhook and Juan de Fuca minor hockey product, goalie Dylan Garand, on the roster – Finland and Germany.

RELATED STORY: Victoria goalie tapped to represent Canada at World Juniors

Switzerland has only medalled once in the history of the tournament, earning bronze in 1998.

Derungs, currently on loan to EVZ Academy in the Swiss League’s second division, is just the fourth Royal to represent his country at the tournament. He joins two-time Team Canada defenceman Joe Hicketts (2015, 2016), and forwards Igor Martynov (Belarus, 2018) and Phillip Schultz (Denmark, 2019) in earning the honour.

The 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships finished Jan. 5 with the gold medal game in Edmonton.


 

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