Lehigh Valley signs Hora, Huntebrinker and Krushelnyski to AHL deals

All three played in Reading last season   

Reading, PA – The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, AHL affiliate of the Reading Royals, announced Friday they have signed defenseman Frank Hora and forwards Michael Huntebrinker and Alex Krushelnyski to AHL contracts.

Need to know: Hora, Huntebrinker and Krushelnyski- As a rookie last season, Hora topped the Royals in plus-minus (+23 rating).- Huntebrinker was named to the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, led Royals rookies with 20 goals and was awarded 2017-18 Royals Rookie of the Year.- Krushelnyski averaged more than a point per game (27 pts., 24 GP) for the Royals in 2017-18. He also scored a game-winning goal in the 5th overtime vs. Charlotte in the Calder Cup Playoffs, the longest game in AHL history.

The Royals have signed five players this offseason, F Jack Riley, F Adam Schmidt, D Adam Larkin, D Nick Neville, and D Charlie Vasaturo. Reading will announce their sixth player signing Friday at 1:00 p.m.

View 2018-19 Royals Player Tracker

Hora stands 6-foot-2, weighs 209 pounds and skated in 62 games with the Royals last season (1g, 13a). The 22-year-old native of Cheektowaga, NY was Captain of the Kitchener Rangers in 2016-17. Over 73 professional games between the AHL and ECHL, Hora has registered one goal, 15 points and a plus-23 rating. The right-handed shot skated in one Kelly Cup Playoff game for the Royals last campaign after Reading received him on loan from Lehigh Valley Apr. 17.

Huntebrinker finished third on the Royals with 41 points last season (65 GP). The 5-foot-11, 195-lb., left-handed shot scored the only goal for Team North in the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic. He skated in four Kelly Cup Playoff games for the Royals and registered his first professional hat trick vs. Adirondack on Dec. 30. He is a Minnesota State graduate.

Krushelnyski is entering his fifth professional season. In his first season with the Flyers organization, he combined to tally 16 goals and 36 points in 61 games split between Reading and Lehigh Valley. Krushelnyski registered two goals and four points for the Phantoms in 10 Calder Cup Playoff contests.

Season tickets and mini-plans are on sale by calling 610-898-7825 (PUCK).

First Home Game Oct. 13The Royals will open the 2018-19 regular season at Santander Arena on Sat., Oct. 13 at 7:00 p.m. vs. the Worcester Railers. The home opener will feature a special Block Party and “Red Carpet” presentation for the team.

About the RoyalsThe Royals have been owned by serial entrepreneur Jack Gulati since 2014 and are entering their 18th 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 nine straight seasons and are four-time division champions.