By Jeff Nagle
If there's one thing that GM Nagle is infamous for it is developing legendary hitting defenseman. From Adam Larsson to Stephen Johns, then the Ruskie duo of Alexander Alexyev and Mikhail Sergachev, Nagle has a knack for spotting a hard-nosed defenseman and doubling down on that talent. It's no coincidence that Royal's players have won 8 out of 12 Scott Stevens trophies for the league's top hitter and 10 of those players have come from the Royal's program.
Who's next? None other than 22-year-old defenseman, Kaiden Guhle.
In a draft day blunder in season nine, Kaiden Guhle was supposed to be drafted by the Royals. GM Nagle had spotted the grinding style of Guhle a long time before the draft and couldn't wait to get him into the Royals fold. But some wires got crossed, and somehow GM Goodfellow of the South-Esk Scotsmen swooped in and nabbed Guhle a pick before the Royals. Needless to say, words were said.
Along the way, Guhle ended up a Royal, and has been following the same development program as his hit-maching predecessor, Alexander Alexeyev. Now, four seasons into that program, Guhle is in the conversation for the Scott Stevens trophy as the league's top hitter. Competing against the legend himself, Alexeyev.
"We couldn't be more happy for Kaiden. He has put in the hard work in the gym and on the ice, and each season you can see his hit totals go up. But he doesn't take himself out of position to make a hit, and that there is the art. Not many players have that mindset, but Kaiden does." said GM Nagle.
With the Royals mired in a full-scaled rebuild, it is no secret that Kaiden is the centrepiece of the new-look team. There are full expectations that the team will lock up their star rearguard with a long-term deal this offseason that will keep him cemented to the Royals for a long time to come.
7/16/2025 - 323 words
