Royals Sign Forward Ian O'Connor

Second Year Pro Acquired in Late Season Trade Returns to Reading

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Ian O’Connor. A second year pro from Londonderry, New Hampshire, O’Connor (6’0/206) (25) is the fourth player announced as signed by the Royals for the 2012-13 season, joining forwards Trevor Lewis and Yannick Tifu and defenseman Bryant Molle. Log onto http://youtu.be/qcX1lAnsKTc for comments by Royals’ Head Coach Larry Courville on the signing of O’Connor. Also, log onto http://youtu.be/vTBrBlcuu-g for Coach Courville’s comments regarding the recently completed 2012 Washington Capitals Development Camp at the Kettler Capitals IcePlex in Arlington, Virginia. Last year, O’Connor began the season with the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL, where he recorded twenty-six points (15g-11a) and forty-seven penalty minutes in forty-nine games prior to being traded on March 6, 2012, (along with forward Chris Doyle and defenseman Colten Hayes) to the Royals in return for defenseman Rob Kwiet. O’Connor, who also played two games last year with the Worcester Sharks of the AHL, finished the regular season in strong style with the Royals, registering six points (3g-3a) and seven penalty minutes in twelve games. His goals in the regular season for Reading included a ‘first goal’ in the Royals’ 3-2 loss to Elmira on March 30 and a critical short-handed goal in the team’s ‘do-or-die’ 6-4 win over the Trenton Titans in the final game of the regular season which ultimately served to clinch the final available playoff spot in the ECHL’s Eastern Conference. O’Connor continued his hot hand in the playoffs, scoring a goal in each of the first two games of the Quarter Final matchup against the Elmira Jackals, including the game winner in the Royals’ 4-2 win in Game Two of that series. O’Connor, who played collegiately at Providence College, played six games with the Royals 2010-11, scoring his first pro goal and picking up seven penalty minutes, after the completion of his senior season with the Friars. In that final year at Providence College, O’Connor led the Friars in scoring with twenty-four points (8g-16a) in 34 games. In 135 total collegiate games, O’Connor registered sixty-two points (26g-26a) and 102 penalty minutes. Season Tickets for the 2012-13 Reading Royals ECHL season are currently available. Call 610-898-7825 for more information or log onto www.royalshockey.com.