Royals Agree to Terms with Forward Domenic Monardo

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, today announced that the organization has agreed to terms with forward Domenic Monardo. The Royals now have twenty players announced as signed to an ECHL contract for the 2013-14 season. In addition to Monardo, the others are: Mike Banwell (d), Matt Campanale (d), Louie Caporusso (f), Julien Cayer (f), Ethan Cox (f), Ryan Kavanagh (d), Damon Kipp (d), Rob Linsmayer (f), David Marshall (f), Bryant Molle (d), Ian O’Connor (f), Ryan Santana (f), Bobby Shea (d), Yannick Tifu (f), David Toews (f), Brad Walch (d), Ian Watters (f), Sean Wiles (f), and Marc Zanette (f).

Monardo (5’11/186) (24), who hails from Oakville, Ontario, will be entering his first full season of pro. Last year, he capped a stellar four year career at Lake Superior State University with a magical senior season. He led the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with twenty goals and, for the second consecutive season, led the Lakers in scoring with thirty one points (20g-11a) in thirty-nine games. At the conclusion of the season, Monardo, who served as team captain in his senior year at LSSU, was selected as the team’s Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Forward—as well as the school’s outstanding male athlete.

Monardo, who received the 2012 CCHA Terry Flanagan Memorial Courageous Athlete Award, joined the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL in late March after the conclusion of his senior year at LSSU. He played three regular season games with the Gladiators, but really took off in the playoffs, where he recorded a point in seven of the nine post-season games he played and was tied for the team lead with four playoff goals (4g-3a=7pts). During this past summer and continuing through the current pre-season, Monardo has participated in NHL Development Camp, Rookie Camp, and Training Camp with the Washington Capitals.

Monardo’s four-year stint at LSSU was replete with awards and accomplishments, including being selected as the school’s Outstanding Freshman in his first year of college. In his sophomore year, he was selected as the team’s Most Improved Player. After his junior year, during which he tied for second in the CCHA (and sixth nationally) with five game winning goals, he was selected as the Lakers’ Most Valuable Forward. Monardo concluded his career at LSSU with 101 points (49g-52a) in 153 total college games to become only the third player in school history to record 100 points in his time at LSSU.

The Royals kick off the defense of the team’s 2013 Kelly Cup Championship on Saturday, October 19, 2013, (7:35 pm), at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania, with the 2013-14 season opener against the South Carolina Stingrays. The Royals also face the Stingrays on Sunday, October 20 (4:05 pm) in Game Two of Opening Weekend. Season Tickets for the 2013-14 Reading Royals are currently available. Call 610-898-7825 or visit www.royalshockey.com for more information.