Nanaimo's Brayden Boehm is all-smiles this season as he looks to help the Victoria Royals make a playoff push. (Kevin Light)

By Ian Holmes

Nanaimo's very own

‘It’s been a great experience:’ Nanaimo’s Brayden Boehm relishing time with Victoria Royals

Feb 15, 2025 | 6:54 AM

NANAIMO — Suffice to say a Nanaimo Minor Hockey grad is having a lot more fun now compared to last season.

Brayden Boehm, who celebrated his 21st birthday last month, is concluding his five-year Western Hockey League career close to home as a productive top six winger with the Victoria Royals.

He was acquired in an early season trade with the Medicine Hat Tigers, who drafted Boehm in the second round of the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft.

Just a dozen games into the 2023/24 season, Boehm sustained a season ending injury, requiring surgery and a long nine months of recovery and rehabilitation.

“I had to overcome and work through it,” Boehm told NanaimoNewsNOW. “I couldn’t dwell on what I couldn’t do, I just had to focus on what I could do and that was making sure I was stronger and better than I was before.”

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Speaking glowingly of the Tigers organization, Boehm said the club helped him make his mark in the league and was integral in regaining his health.

With his allegiances shifted to B.C.’s capital, Boehm is indebted to the Royals management team and coaching staff for entrusting him as one of three allowable overage players.

“It’s been a great experience for me, especially being home. We have a great team and the additions we made are huge and we’re looking to make a run here, so that’s pretty special to be a part of that.”

Boehm recently played his 200th WHL game. He anchors the second line right wing position. (Kevin Light)

The Royals were buyers prior to the WHL trade deadline, led by the acquisition of a pair of key overage forwards to give the club a much needed offensive jolt.

The B.C. Division leading Royals are one of WHL’s top teams, with Boehm playing an important role in the club’s ascent up the league standings.

Boehm has 17 goals and 44 points in 47 games so far this season.

He believes the Royals are capable of going on a deep playoff run.

Playing in front of familiar faces at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre has been a blast, Boehm said excitedly.

“Having family and friends in the stands just makes it a little more meaningful. I don’t think it has anything to do with nerves or performing, I think for me it just gives me another reason to play better.”

The Harbour City remains an important aspect of Boehm’s life, where he lives, trains and works in the off-season.

Nanaimo is where Boehm fell in love with the game — it’s where he first put on skates for the first time at two-years-old.

Reflecting on his youth playing minor hockey in Nanaimo, Boehm said the simplicity of having fun with friends set the tone for where he is today.

“My roots are always back in Nanaimo, I enjoyed my time there. It was unbelievable,” Boehm said.

There’s more for Boehm to look forward to beyond this season, with the next chapter of his hockey career being an option he didn’t think would be possible.

With requirements eased in November allowing players in Canada’s three major junior leagues the ability to play NCAA men’s hockey in the United States, Boehm was one of many players to jump at the opportunity.

Boehm is off to Houghton, Michigan for the 2025/26 season, where he’ll suit up for the NCAA Division 1 Michigan Tech Huskies of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

He’s hopeful his U.S. collegiate hockey path provides a springboard to further on-ice opportunities.

“Eventually I’d like to play pro, whether that be over in Europe or here in North America – I think for me that’s the end goal no matter how long that takes.”

Boehm and his Royals’ teammates visit the Vancouver Giants the evening of Saturday, Feb 15, then return home for a premium matchup versus Western Conference leading Everett on the Family Day holiday on Monday, Feb 17.

The contest against the Silvertips at 3:05 p.m. features a roster including 15-year-old phenom defenceman Landon Dupont, as well as skilled 18-year-old Nanaimo based forward Jesse Heslop.

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