Royals Renew Affiliation Agreement with Washington and Hershey

First Year of Affiliation Relationship Bears Results in Record Setting Regular Season

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals of the ECHL, the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League today jointly announced that they have renewed their exclusive affiliation arrangement for the 2013-14 season. Under the affiliation agreement, the Royals will receive players designated for assignment within the hockey operations development systems of the Capitals and Bears. During the first regular season of this affiliation relationship, 2012-13, which was by any statistical measure (including most wins, fewest losses, highest win percentage and total points in the standings) the most successful in the twelve year history of the Royals, Reading received no fewer than seventeen different players on assignment and loan from Washington and Hershey. The Royals, who are currently engaged in a first round Eastern Conference Quarterfinal best-of-seven playoff series with the Greenville Road Warriors, have eight of those players on the team’s active Playoff Roster. “The Berks County Convention Center Authority and SMG are thrilled to renew the Royals’ relationship with what we believe to be the premier hockey operations department in the game,” said Royals and SMG Regional General Manager Zane Collings. “Of course, the Royals still have work in front of the team for this year, but we look forward to continuing the success that we experienced in our first season of affiliation with the Capitals and Bears in the future.” “We are very pleased to renew our ECHL affiliation with the Reading Royals,” said Capitals’ General Manager George McPhee. “Our experience this past season confirms that Reading is a top quality environment for our young players to develop.” “We’re excited to be continuing our relationship with the Royals for another season,” said Doug Yingst the President and General Manager of the Bears. “We believe that the geographic proximity between Washington, Hershey and Reading has benefitted all three teams, as well as the players who have moved throughout our system this past season. We look forward to expanding our working relationships, improving the performance of our players, growing our game, and ultimately providing championship quality hockey for our fans.” 2013-14 will be the Royals’ thirteenth season in Reading. From the team’s inception in 2001 through 2008, the Royals were primarily affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL and the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. From 2008-09 through 2011-12, the Royals were affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL and the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. In 2009-10, the Royals added a secondary affiliation with the Boston Bruins of the NHL, which lasted until the conclusion of the 2012 season. The Royals and Greenville Road Warriors face off in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals this afternoon (Sunday, April 14 @ 4:00 pm) at BI-LO Center in Greenville, South Carolina. Sunday’s game day 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 3:30 pm. As with all Royals’ road games, Sunday’s game will be televised live in Berks County, Pennsylvania on BCTV courtesy of Boscov’s Travel and Apple Vacations. More information is available about the Royals 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. EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINAL(1) Reading Royals v (8) Greenville Road Warriors READING LEADS SERIES THREE GAMES TO ONEGame One: Reading 1 – Greenville 0 (04/05/13 @ Reading)Game Two: Reading 4 – Greenville 0 (04/06/13 @ Reading)Game Three: Greenville 4 – Reading 2 (04/10/13 @ Greenville)Game Four: Reading 3 – Greenville 0 (04/11/13 @ Greenville) Game Five Sunday, April 14 (4:00 pm) at BI-LO Center, Greenville, SCGame Six (IF NECESSARY): Tuesday, April 16 (7:05 pm) at Sovereign Center, Reading, PAGame Seven (IF NECESSARY): Wednesday, April 17 (7:05 pm) at Sovereign Center, Reading, PA