Royals Sign Defenseman Nick Bruneteau to ATO

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 signed defenseman Nick Bruneteau to an Amateur Tryout Agreement. In a separate transaction also announced today, defenseman Brett Flemming was recalled by the Capitals and reassigned to Hershey.

Bruneteau (5’10/189) (22), who hails from Omaha, Nebraska, just completed his senior season at the University of Vermont, where he recorded sixteen points (4g-12a) and eighteen penalty minutes in 38 games for the Catamounts, who earned a berth in the NCAA tournament but were eliminated last week in the first round by the number one seed, Union College. Bruneteau, who matriculated to Vermont after serving as a team captain for Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minnesota, was named the Catamounts’ Rookie of the Year after his freshman season in which he was second on the team with fifteen assists in thirty-six games. In 144 total games at Vermont, Bruneteau registered fifty-eight points (9g-49a) and 106 penalty minutes.

This marks the second trip of the season to the Bears for Flemming, a third year pro who was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. This season, he has had a career year for the Royals, setting personal bests in goals (6) and points (18) in addition to accumulating fifty-nine penalty minutes in fifty-two games with the team. Flemming has also picked up one assist and two penalty minutes in three games with the Bears this year.

The Royals return to action tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 2 @ 7:05 pm) when the Orlando Solar Bears make their only regular season appearance at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania. That night, the first 3000 fans will receive a Team Picture courtesy of the Reading Eagle. Fans will have an opportunity to get the Team Photo signed in a post-game autograph session. The Royals also offer the Steak-Umm Burger Meal and Ticket on Wednesday nights where fans can get a Purple Zone ticket, a Steak-umm Burger, fries and a large soda for just $20.00. There will also be select draft beer for just $2.50. The game night broadcast on Wednesday will kick off at 6:35 pm on CBS Sports Radio 1240 am and 98.5 fm with the Pre-Game Warm-Up Show presented by Highmark Blue Shield.