Four former Royals represent countries at 2018 Winter Olympics

G Scrivens for Canada, G Matt Dalton for Korea, D Hersley for Sweden, D Michal Cajkovsky for Slovakia

Reading, PA – Four former Reading Royals – G Ben Scrivens (Canada), G Matt Dalton (Korea), D Michal Cajkovsky (Slovakia) and D Patrik Hersley (Sweden) – will represent their countries in the men’s hockey tournament at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Twenty-six former ECHL players are participating and the tournament runs from Feb. 14-25. Nine of the 12 countries have at least one former ECHL player. Five on-ice officials that have worked in the ECHL are also staffing the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Team Canada – G Ben Scrivens (2010-11)Scrivens is one of 32 former Royals to make the NHL. As a rookie during the 2009-10 season, the Cornell University graduate played 13 games with the Royals, qualified for the ECHL All-Star Game and pitched a 10-3-0-0 record, 2.23 goals against average and .933 save percentage. He made his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 3, 2011 and played in five NHL campaigns (2011-16). Scrivens’ career NHL record is 47-64-17 (144 GP, 2.92 GAA, .905 sv.%).  He is a native of Spruce Grove, Alberta and currently skates for Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL.

Team Korea – G Matt Dalton (2009-11)Dalton, a dual Korean-Canadian citizen, will suit up for the Korean Olympic Team. He skated in 79 games for the Royals from 2009-11 (42-31-1-4, 3.21 GAA and .911 sv%). During the 2010-11 campaign, Dalton, 32, split goaltending duties with two future NHL netminders – Scrivens and Michael Hutchinson. Dalton has played overseas since 2011 in the KHL and Asia League.

Team Slovakia – D Michael Cajkovsky (2013-14)In 2013-14, Cajkovsky joined the Royals and skated in 66 regular season games, topping the team’s blueliners with 14 goals and 36 points. He split the 2014-15 campaign with Hershey (AHL) and South Carolina and has been overseas playing in the Czech Republic and KHL the last three seasons. Cajkovsky is a native of Bratislav, Slovakia.

Team Sweden – D Patrik Hersley (2007-09)Hersley last played for the Royals in the 2008-09 campaign and recorded four assists in 15 games. Over two Reading seasons, Hersley combined to register three goals and 22 points in 35 contests. A 2005 5th round selection of the Los Angeles Kings, he has played professionally over the last 13 seasons in the ECHL, AHL, and Europe. Hersley mans the blue line for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL and leads the team’s defenders with 13 goals and 33 points this season. SKA St. Petersburg also boasts former NHL forwards Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk, both of whom are playing for the Olympic Athletes from Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The Royals next play at home Fri., Feb. 16 vs. Cincinnati at 7:00 p.m. for Hockey N’ Heels Night, featuring a pink knit hat giveaway from Sweet Streets Desserts and a special ladies-only pampering session and gift certificate giveaway from Bell Tower.

Hockey ‘N Heels and Princess Night on Fri., Feb 16 vs. CIN at 7:00 p.m.First 1,500 women will receive a pink knit hat, thanks to Sweet Street Desserts. Bell Tower will be at the game for a ladies-only pampering session and gift card giveaway.

Pink in the Rink, Pink Ice, special jerseys on Sat., Feb 17 vs. BRM at 7:00 p.m.Pink knit scarf giveaway to the first 1,500 women, courtesy of Sweet Street Desserts. The Royals will wear special jerseys and play on pink ice.

PAW Patrol, Battle of the Badges, Faith and Family and Jerry “The King” Lawler on Sun., Feb 18 vs. WHL at 4:00 p.m.It’s PAW Patrol night! The Royals will wear special PAW Patrol jerseys from the popular Nickelodeon show.

Before the Royals drop the puck with the Nailers, the Reading Police and Fire Departments match up against the Allentown Police and Fire at 12:30 p.m. in the Battle for the FirstStates Cup XIII at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are available here to help raise money for the children of policemen and firefighters.

Meet WWE Hall-of-Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler on Pro Wrestling Night (Tower Health). Plus, it’s Faith and Family Night and dollar dog day, presented by Safe Berks, Berks Packing and Coca-Cola. First 1,000 kids (14 & under) will receive a Slapshot T-shirt thanks to Bethany Children’s Home. Also check out a postgame skate presented by Body Zone.

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.