Willows tabbed CCM ECHL Player of the Month

Royals sweep Goaltender and Player of the Month honors

PRINCETON, N.J. – Reading Royals’ forward Matt Willows has been named the CCM ECHL Player of the Month for January. Earlier Friday, John Muse received Warrior Hockey Goaltender of the Month honors.

It is the first time the Royals have had a pair of players sweep Player and Goaltender of the Month honors in the same month. Reading has taken two league-wide awards in the same month on four different occasions, most recently in Dec. 2009 when Ben Gordon took home Player of the Month and ECHL Plus Performer of the Month.

Willows scored three goals and assisted on 13 others for 16 points in 14 games during the month.

The 26-year-old picked up at least one point in 11 of his 14 games, and ended the month on a seven-game point streak, over which he tallied 10 points (1g-9a). Willows posted multi-point games five times in January.

A native of Congers, New York, Willows leads the Royals - and is tied for ninth overall in the league - with 43 points and is tied for the team lead with 14 goals in 46 games this season.

Willows has tallied 170 points (59g-111a) in 180 career ECHL games with Reading, Allen and Florida. He was named ECHL Rookie of the Year with Florida in 2015-16 after posting 66 points (23g-43a) in 71 games. Willows has also seen action in 12 career American Hockey League games with Worcester and San Jose, adding five points (3g-2a).

Prior to turning pro, Willows recorded 90 points (45g-45a) in 130 career games at the University of New Hampshire.

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.

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.