Patrick Wellar named Hershey Bears Assistant Coach

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, announced Tuesday former Assistant Coach Patrick Wellar has been named an Assistant Coach with the Hershey Bears (AHL). Wellar was the Royals Assistant Coach in 2017-18. The 34-year-old won the 2010 Calder Cup with the Bears and the 2013 Kelly Cup with the Royals. Wellar is one of four players to have his named engraved on the Kelly Cup three times.

“I would like to thank Kirk MacDonald and the entire Reading Royals staff for an amazing year,” Wellar said. “It has been great to learn from Kirk and I will always be grateful for him giving me the opportunity to be his assistant coach. It was amazing to have been able to coach an organization I care so deeply for.

“Finally, I can’t thank our players enough for having the honor of being their coach. We had the privilege to work with a special group of young hockey players and I wish them nothing but the best going forward. ”

Wellar was named Royals assistant coach in June 2017 after serving as an assistant for one season with the Cincinnati Cyclones in 2016-17. The native of Carrot River, SK logged 747 professional games (39g, 140a, 1223 PIM) over 12 campaigns. He skated for the Royals in a pair of seasons – 2008-09 and 2012-13.

During the Royals’ run to their first Kelly Cup, Wellar returned to Reading from Hershey during the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals. He contributed a pair of playoff goals and three points as the Royals triumphed to their first Kelly Cup over Stockton.

Full season packages and mini-plans for the 2018-19 season are now available. Call 610-898-7825 to learn more.

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.