Royals Announce 2016-17 Opening Day Roster

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, today announced the team’s 2016-17 Opening Day Roster. The Royals Opening Day Roster is comprised of twenty-two players (twelve forwards, eight defensemen, and two goaltenders) with twenty-one active and one on the ECHL Reserve.

In transactions completed earlier today, the Royals: (i) released forward Kris Newbury from his Professional Tryout Agreement with the team; (ii) released defenseman Bobby Gertsakis from his Professional Tryout Agreement with the team and signed him to an ECHL Standard Players Contract; and (iii) released defenseman Matt Chiarantano from his Professional Tryout Agreement with the team and signed him to an ECHL Standard Players Contract.

Reading Royals 2016-17 Opening Day Roster

Active Forwards (12)

Justin Crandall

Robbie Czarnik

Zach Hall

Olivier Labelle

Chris McCarthy

Mike Pelech

Ryan Penny

Mike Pereira

Kevin Sundher

Steven Swavely

Ian Watters

Matt Wilkins

Active Defensemen (7)

Bobby Gertsakis

Florian Iberer

Derik Johnson

Miles Liberati

Nick Luukko

Mike Marcou

Todd Perry

Active Goaltenders (2)

Mark Dekanich

Martin Ouellette

Reserve List (1)

Matt Chiarantano – Defenseman

Season Sixteen for the Royals kicks off this Saturday (October 15) with a rock and roll bang as the Pat McGee Band hits the stage for the Opening Night Block Party, which will be set up on Penn Street directly adjacent to Santander Arena. Things will heat up at 4 pm and lead directly into the pre-game activities for the Royals season opener against the Elmira Jackals (@ 7:00 pm). Fans will be treated to what promises to be the most exciting season-launching, pregame presentation in team history, and everyone will be part of the effort to take the energy to the next level with “BOOM-BOOM” sticks that will be given out to all in attendance courtesy of Reading Health System.

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