As a fan of 91大黄鸭 Rockets鈥� games growing up, often envisioned the day he鈥檇 be playing in the Western Hockey League.

Now in his second season of major junior hockey, the 17-year-old 91大黄鸭 native has not only arrived but has quickly developed into a steady and reliable rearguard for the Victoria Royals.

After playing in just 38 games in his rookie season with the Royals, Prowse has raised his game to another level in 2017-18.

鈥淚 give him a lot of credit, he didn鈥檛 play a lot last year, but he stuck with his off-ice training and worked hard at practise,鈥� said Royals鈥� assistant coach Doug Bodger. 鈥淗e really stepped up in the playoffs last year and has just kept it going from there.

鈥淗e does lot of things well, especially in the defensive zone, Mitchell is smart and has great awareness. He has a great attitude, too, and has fit in well with our group.鈥�

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Prowse came up through 91大黄鸭鈥檚 minor hockey system, then played two seasons at the in Penticton.

A second-round bantam draft pick of the Royals in 2015, Prowse is watching his WHL career unfold more or less how he hoped it would.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been great this year, I鈥檝e been getting lots of ice time and my confidence has really grown,鈥� said Prowse, who has played in all five games鈥攁ll victories鈥攆or Victoria this season.

鈥淚 learned a lot from last year, being in and out of the lineup. I had lots of time to work on my game, improve and see what I needed for this upcoming year and to make an impact.鈥�

And not surprisingly, Prowse also appreciates the success the Royals are enjoying as a team. Victoria (5-0-0-0) remains the Western Conference鈥檚 only unbeaten team following Wednesday night鈥檚 8-3 win over the hometown 91大黄鸭 Rockets.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great start, we鈥檙e looking to keep going and build on this, so I鈥檓 excited,鈥� Prowse said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got a great group here, it鈥檒l be a good year.鈥�

As for playing at Prospera Place, Prowse always enjoys being back in familiar surroundings. Watching his Royals pick up two points Wednesday was an added bonus.

鈥淚t鈥檚 awesome, it鈥檚 fun coming home and playing in front of a lot of family and friends. It鈥檚 even better getting the win for them and playing well, it鈥檚 exciting.鈥�

Prowse is one of three Central Okanagan products on the Royals鈥� defensive corps. West 91大黄鸭 native and L.A. Kings鈥� prospect Chaz Reddekopp, 20, is back for his fifth and final season with Victoria. 91大黄鸭鈥檚 Anthony Bishop joined the Royals this season from the Seattle Thunderbirds.