Larry Courville to Return as Royals Head Coach

Reading Coach Currently Preparing For 2013 Kelly Cup Playoffs Signs Two Year Extension

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 Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Larry Courville will return to that position with the Royals for the 2013-14 ECHL season. Consistent with team policy, terms of the two year contract extension were not released. “We’re excited to bring Coach Courville back for his fifth full season,” said SMG Regional General Manager Zane Collings. “He has consistently exhibited the level of commitment and tenacity that is required to successfully navigate the challenging management issues presented to coaches in our league. His history of success is unparalleled within our organization. We look forward to continuing our efforts with Coach Courville to build championship quality and high character teams on and off the ice for the fans of Reading.” “I’m thrilled to be coming back to the Royals next season,” said Coach Courville. “At this moment, our team’s focus is on being properly prepared for the impending battle in the Kelly Cup playoffs. But I consider the completion of this contract with the Royals a vote of confidence for our efforts here in Reading over the past several seasons. I want to thank Zane Collings, Mark Wallace, the Royals’ general manager, and the entire management team operating the Royals’ organization for their willingness to commit to me and my family for another season. And I want to ensure our fans that we will continue our efforts to bring our city the championship we all so deeply desire.” Courville, who hails from Timmins, Ontario, currently resides with his wife, Shannon, and three young children in Palmyra, Pennsylvania. Courville, who will turn 38 on Tuesday (April 2), is currently preparing the Royals for the 2013 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Courville has led the team to the post-season in all four full seasons in which has been the team’s head coach, marking the first time in team history that Reading has qualified for post-season play in four consecutive years. In 2010, his first run at the playoffs, Courville led the Royals on the team’s longest run in post-season history, advancing all the way to what was known then as the American Conference Finals. Courville took over the Royals head coaching job thirty-four games into the 2008-09 season—on January 6, 2009—with the team’s record sitting at 9-23-2. The Courville-led Royals completed the remainder of that season 15-19-4. In the four full seasons since that time, Courville has led the Royals to a cumulative regular season record of 163-99-26, which translates into a .611 win percentage. Courville holds the team record for regular season games coached (326), regular season games won (178), playoff games coached (29) and playoff games won (15). By any standard, Courville’s club this year has clearly been the best team in the regular season history of the Royals, setting team records for wins (46), win percentage (.688), and points in the standings (99). This year’s club also clinched the second Atlantic Division Title under Courville’s guidance (the 2010-11 team also won the Atlantic), and became the first team in Royals’ history to notch an Eastern Conference regular season title. This year, the team established a team record for home wins with 26 and became the third consecutive Courville-led team to win twenty or more games on the road. Historically, Courville’s teams have compiled a record of 84-60-17 on the road. Royals playoff tickets are now on sale. The Eastern Conference Quarterfinal best of seven series against the Greenville Road Warriors will start with Game One on Friday, April 5 (@7:05 pm) at Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. Friday’s game night broadcast on CBS Sports Radio 1240 am and 98.5 fm will kick off with the pre-game warm-up show presented by Steve Moyer Subaru at 6:35 pm. Game Two of the best of seven series will be played at the Sovereign Center on Saturday, April 6 (@7:05 pm). More information is available at 610-898-7825 and through the Royals website: www.royalshockey.com. Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook at Reading Royals and "Follow" us on Twitter @RRoyalshockey for the latest team information.