Royals get D Nick Neville from South Carolina for F Matt Salhany

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals have acquired defenseman Nick Neville from the South Carolina Stingrays for forward Matt Salhany, the team announced Tuesday. Neville is a 24-year-old in his second professional season.

“I'm just excited for a new beginning in a new city,” said Neville. “I’m hoping I can make the best of the opportunity given to me in Reading.”

A former blueliner for the University of Denver, Neville played in three games with South Carolina this season. He also skated in ten contests for the SPHL’s Peoria Rivermen (3a) before joining South Carolina on Nov. 22. In 18 games with the Stingrays last season, Neville had two assists.

“I have played with Scott Tanski in South Carolina and Nolan Zajac at Denver so I am looking forward to teaming up with them again,” Neville explained.

At Denver from 2013-16, Neville recorded two goals, six points and a plus-five rating in 54 games. In the junior ranks, he skated with the Texas Tornado (NAHL), won the 2012 Robertson Cup and had 64 points (12 goals, 52 assists) from 2011-13. He is a native of Bloomfield Hills, MI that stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 189 pounds.

The Royals have announced a pair of transactions Tuesday; earlier, Nick Luukko was released from his PTO with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) and rejoined Reading.

Salhany joined the Royals at the end of the 2016-17 season. He scored his only ECHL goal against Elmira on March 11, 2017. In five games this season, Salhany had nine shots on goal and an even rating.

Next Home GameIn the Royals’ next home game, it’s $5 Green Zone tickets as a special holiday gift to you! The team hosts a special postgame autograph session and takes on Wheeling on Wed., Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m., presented by Rieck’s Printing. Purchase $5 Tickets here.

Teddy Bear TossReading hosts the Nailers again on Sat., Dec. 16 with the annual Teddy Bear Toss game and Ugly Sweater Jerseys. Plus, the first 2,000 fans receive a Royals Christmas ornament, presented by Met-Ed. Tickets are available here.

Santa Sacks Holiday GiftWe’re happy to bring back our Santa Sacks! Get an autographed Royals puck and come out to three of our biggest games for just $30.- Sat., Jan. 20 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (Slapshot Star Wars bobblehead giveaway, THON Night, Star Wars jerseys)- Fri., Feb. 17 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (Pink in the Rink, knit scarf giveaway)- Sat., Mar. 17 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Brampton (Yannick Tifu number retired, Meet WWE Million Dollar Man)- Sat., Mar. 24 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Worcester (Kelly Cup Tribute puck giveaway, Autism Awareness jerseys)- Sat., Apr. 7 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Norfolk (FANdemonium, fan appreciation, fan’s choice giveaway)- Call 610-898-PUCK and tickets are available here.

More $5 TicketsThe Royals are pleased to announce $5 tickets in the Green Zone to three upcoming games in December!- Wed., Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Wheeling (postgame autographs) | Sun., Dec. 17 at 4:00 p.m. vs. Adirondack (dollar dogs and player photo) | Thurs., Dec. 28 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Worcester (special Flyers jerseys, aPHILLYation night)- Call 610-898-PUCK (7825) and tickets are available here.

About the RoyalsThe Royals have been owned by serial entrepreneur Jack Gulati since 2014 and are in their 17th ECHL season. Proudly affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Reading plays in the Santander Arena, located in downtown Reading, PA at 700 Penn Street. The Royals won the Kelly Cup in 2013, have made the playoffs in eight straight seasons and are four-time division champions.

Reading Royals Mobile AppHead to the App Store and Google Play to download the new Reading Royals app on your smartphone! Stay up-to-date with team news, receive notifications and purchase tickets for your next experience at Santander Arena.

Broadcast CoverageAll Royals game can be heard on Rumba 1340 AM and the iHeartRadio app by searching “Rumba 1340”. The pregame show starts 15 minutes before puck drop. Watch Royals games on ECHL.tv. Reading away games are shown locally on BCTV, channel 15 Comcast, channel 19 Service Electric.