Royals announce season-opening roster

23 players prepare for first game on Oct. 21

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, today announced its season-opening roster for the 2017-18 ECHL season. The roster is comprised of 13 forwards, 8 defensemen and 2 goalies. The Royals open the season on Sat., Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. vs. Adirondack.

Ryan Penny is the team’s leading returning scorer; last season, the 6-foot-1, 204-lb. forward finished with 25 goals (2nd) and 51 points (4th). Chase Golightly, Nick Luukko, Chris McCarthy, Mark Dekanich, Matt Wilkins, Michael Huntebrinker, Matt Salhany and Matt Willows also saw time with Reading last season. Luukko was an alternate captain with the Royals in 2016-17 and is entering his third season with the club.

Between the pipes, Dekanich and John Muse are expected to carry the load. Dekanich pitched a 21-12-3-1 record last season with the Royals. Muse is entering his 8th professional season and spent last season with the Sabres organization, splitting his time between Rochester (14 GP) and Elmira (6 GP).

Head Coach Kirk MacDonald assumed the reins with three games remaining in the 2017-18 season and went 3-0-0-0. Assistant Coach Patrick Wellar is in his first season with Reading after serving as an assistant with the Cincinnati Cyclones last season. Both were players with the Royals during the club’s run to the 2013 Kelly Cup.

Forwards (13)

#3 Chris McCarthy

#9 Ryan Penny

#14 Adam Schmidt

#15 Tyler Brown

#16 Matt Wilkins

#17 Mike Huntebrinker

#18 Emil Romig

#19 Alex Krushelnyski

#21 Derek Whitmore

#23 Matt Salhany

#24 Scott Tanski

#27 Mark Naclerio

#90 Matt Willows

Defensemen (8)

#2 Chase Golightly

#5 James de Haas

#6 Ryan Segalla

#7 Loic Leduc

#8 Nolan Zajac

#25 Nick Luukko

#28 Sam Posa

#43 Frank Hora

Goaltenders (2)

#1 John Muse

#31 Mark Dekanich

This season’s year-long tribute to ‘Purple-Pride’ kicks off with the Oct. 21 Opening Day Block Party on Penn Street at 1 p.m. directly in front of Santander Arena. Puck drop for the game against Adirondack is at 4 p.m. This year’s festivities include a command performance by local favorites “The Uptown Band”. To make sure that everyone is properly loosened up for that afternoon’s game against Adirondack Thunder, the Block Party will offer plenty of participatory fun and games for the entire family, as well as a wide selection of food and beverages. Met-Ed, a First Energy Company, who will make sure that every fan in attendance at the Royals home opener is properly attired with a Purple-Pride t-shirt.

Full Season Tickets and Mini-Plans for the Royals’ 2017-18 ECHL season are currently available. Call 610-898-7825 for more information or log onto www.royalshockey.com.