Reading, PA – The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, have signed forward Max Willman to an ECHL deal for the 2019-20 season, Head Coach Kirk MacDonald announced Wednesday. Willman spent four years at Brown University (2014-18) and played in 36 games as a graduate transfer student at Boston University in 2018-19 (1g, 5a). The 24-year old was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 5th round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft (121st overall).2019-20 Royals rosterGoaltender (1): #35 Trevor GorsuchDefensemen (5): #6 Garrett Cecere, #19 Garret Cockerill, #27 Jeremy Beaudry, #75 Joe Masonius, #77 Jimmy MazzaForwards (12): #7 Trevor Gooch, #9 Brayden Low, #13 Olivier Labelle, #15 Trevor Yates, #16 Hayden Hodgson, #17 Brendan Robbins, #18 Judd Peterson, #21 Frank DiChiara, #23 Drew Melanson, #28 Brady Wiffen, #67 Max Willman, #81 Corey MackinThey said itWillman: “I talked with some of my friends that have played in Reading in the past and have heard good things. I like to think I’m a fast forward that can play physically and add a little bit of scoring touch.”
MacDonald: "Max will be given an opportunity during training camp to come in and establish himself. We look forward to meeting him in a couple of weeks and to help him develop as he begins his pro career." Career notesThe Barnstable, MA native appeared in 99 games for Brown University and scored 45 career points. In his junior season, Willman finished third on the team in goals (11) and points (26) while leading Brown with 97 shots on goal.The 6-foot, 183-lb., left-handed shot amassed 17 goals and 51 points in 135 NCAA games.Willman led Barnstable High School in scoring in his final two seasons at the school, tallying 19 goals in each campaign. Willman was a co-captain for the Williston Northampton School and earned team MVP honors with 44 points in 25 games. New for the 2019-20 season, take advantage of the Royals 5-Game Mini Plan that kicks off Opening Night on Sat., Oct. 19 at 7:00 p.m. and includes a meal for every game, a Reading Royals Hat, an exclusive fan experience, an autographed team picture and a guaranteed giveaway for each of the 5 games. Purchase your seat or seats today by calling 610-898-7825 or by visiting https://bit.ly/2LSHBp8.The first Royals’ home game on Oct. 19 vs. Maine features a massive block party, games, food, drinks and a special “Downtown Alive” concert on Penn Street before the home opener.Royals season memberships are available for 2019-20 by heading to royalshockey.com/restoretheroar, visiting the Royals Box Office at Santander Arena (700 Penn Street) and calling 610-898-7825.For the latest team news, visit royalshockey.com/news, and follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/ReadingRoyals), Twitter (Twitter.com/ReadingRoyals) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ReadingRoyals). Use #RestoreTheRoar to join the conversation.About the RoyalsThe Royals are entering their 19th ECHL season and are proudly affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The Royals won the Kelly Cup in 2013, have made the playoffs 14 times, and are four-time division champions. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals along with the Santander Arena and the Santander Arena Performing Arts Center.Listen to all Royals broadcasts at Mixlr.com/ReadingRoyals or by downloading the Mixlr App from the App Store or Google Play. All Royals away games are broadcast on BCTV (Ch. 15 Comcast, Ch. 19 Service Electric) and Mixlr.