Forward Justin Crandall Returned to Reading

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, today announced that forward Justin Crandall has been returned to the Royals from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. In a separate transaction previously completed, defenseman Rich Botting was released from is Amateur Tryout Agreement with the Royals. In a transaction completed on Sunday, March 13, goaltender Martin Ouellette was loaned to the Royals from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL.

Crandall, a first year pro from Lakeville, Minnesota, was loaned to the Wolves on February 24. In his first career AHL call-up, Crandall recorded two points (1g-1a) and two penalty minutes in seven games with Chicago. In forty-seven games with the Royals, Crandall has fifty points (15g-35a), which at the time of his loan to the AHL led all rookies in the ECHL. Botting, who recently completed his senior season with SUNY-Plattsburgh, was signed to an ATO last Friday (March 11). He did not appear in a game with the Royals. Ouellette, who was recalled for the seventh time this season on Saturday (March 12), was loaned to Reading on Sunday, and he promptly made 38 saves to record his fourth shutout of the season in Reading’s 1-0 win over the Adirondack Thunder in Lake Placid, New York. Ouellette, who has held the opposition to one goal or less nine times this season, has compiled a record of 16-9-3-0 with a 2.11 goals against average (sixth best in the league) and .921 save percentage in twenty-nine games with Reading.

The Royals return to action on Friday (March 18 @ 7:30 pm), when the team travels to Norfolk, Virginia, to face the Norfolk Admirals at The Scope Arena. The game night broadcast for Friday’s matchup can be heard on CBS SportsRadio 1240 am and 98.5 in Reading, Pennsylvania, starting with the pre-game warm-up show presented by Highmark Blue Shield at 7:00 pm Eastern Time. Friday’s game will be televised locally in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on BCTV courtesy of Boscov’s Travel and Apple Vacations. Streaming video will be available on ECHL.TV on a pay per view basis. Streaming audio is available free of charge on the Royals website.

For more information about the Royals, call 610-898-7825 or log onto www.royalshockey.com.

End 16 03-15