Royals sign Mercyhurst Captain Jack Riley to first professional contract

Manchester, NH – The Reading Royals have signed Mercyhurst College Captain Jack Riley, Head Coach Kirk MacDonald announced Wednesday. Riley served as Captain of the Lakers for the last two seasons and was an alternate captain in redshirt sophomore campaign with the club. The West Point, NY native was second on the team with 16 goals and 31 points this campaign, both personal NCAA highs.

“He plays hard and I think he’s a guy that’s going to have good habits and be reliable on both sides of the puck,” MacDonald said. “We’re really lucky to have him.”

The 25-year-old spent the last five seasons with Mercyhurst. During his first season, he played in seven games, recorded an assist and missed the rest of the season due to injuries. After earning a redshirt, Riley skated in 150 games, scored 41 goals and racked up 101 points over the next four seasons. He was named to the AHA All-Rookie Team in 2014-15 (9g, 15a). During 2015-16, he skated in all 36 Lakers games.

Riley played with forward Steven Swavely (now on Lehigh Valley) in 2011-12 with the New Jersey Hitmen. He stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 185 pounds.

Jack is the son of Brian Riley, who has been the Army Hockey Head Coach since 2004. His grandfather Jack coached the United States to its first hockey Gold Medal at the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics. He served as the Head Coach at Army from 1950-86.

Reading is at Manchester Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and Royals Pregame Coverage starts at 6:45 p.m.

Royals offer Snow Day Ticket Special to game Fri., Mar. 23: $6 Off TicketsWinter Storm Toby has prompted the Reading Royals to announce a special ticket deal: the team will offer $6 off tickets to the game this Fri., Mar. 23 vs. Worcester purchased through this link. The deal runs Wednesday and Thursday.

Tickets are now $8 to the game on Friday.

Friday’s game is Special Olympics Night, featuring a Royals player trading card set giveaway to the first 2,500 fans (Rieck’s Printing). Come to the ice after the game for a Beach Party! We call it the postgame shake, shiver and freeze to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Night Fri., Mar. 23 vs. WOR at 7:00 p.m.

Royals trading card set giveaway to the first 2,500 fans (Rieck’s Printing).

Tickets are available here

Come to the ice after the game for a BEACH PARTY!!!  We call it the postgame shake, shiver and freeze with the Royals to raise money for the Special Olympics. Friday’s game is Special Olympics Night and you can help raise money for Special Olympics with a $10 donation which will get you on the ice for Shake, Shiver and Freeze (don’t forget your swimsuit and towel). We invite everyone to stick around, enjoy the fun and donate to this special cause.

Autism Awareness Night Sat., Mar. 24 vs. WOR at 7:00 p.m.

A one-time-only giveaway: a puck with Head Coach Kirk MacDonald and Assistant Coach Pat Wellar to  commemorate the 5th anniversary of Reading winning the Kelly Cup.

To support the Autism Society of Berks County and Unending Promise, we’re wearing special Autism Awareness jerseys that will be auctioned off at https://one.bidpal.net/goroyals.

Tickets are available here.

2018-19 season tickets now availableTop full-season benefits include: exclusive Reading Hockey Club per seat gift, discounted rate off regular ticket prices, ticket exchange, preseason meet and greet, exclusive season ticket holder events, advanced entry and a chance to win and the Royals Owner’s Suite for a game. Call 610-898-7825 and visit to join the Royals family or renew season tickets for the 2018-19 season. Visit royalshockey.com/tickets/season-tickets to learn more.

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.