Forwards Fox and Morgan back on board with Royals

Reading has signed 11 forwards this offseason

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, announced Monday forwards Dillan Fox and Brian Morgan have agreed to 2018-19 ECHL contracts with the Royals. Both played for Reading last season. Fox, a native of Hummelstown, PA, is the fourth player from Pennsylvania to sign with the Royals this offseason (Chris McCarthy, Adam Schmidt, Steven Swavely).

Reading has now come to terms on ECHL deals with 14 players this offseason. 

Need to knowMorgan registered nine goals, 18 points and a plus-13 rating for the Royals last season (42 GP) after joining the squad in Dec. 2017. He scored eight goals at Santander Arena.

Fox generated a goal and three points in ten Royals games. His only goal Jan. 14 vs. Manchester was rated the ECHL's #5 goal of the 2017-18 season.

Updated Royals RosterForwards (11): #3 Chris McCarthy, #9 Brayden Low,  #12 Steven Swavely, #14 Adam Schmidt, #18 Tyler Brown, #21 Frankie DiChiara, #24 Bo Pieper, #28 Brian Morgan, #29 Jack Riley, #61 Dillan Fox, #77 Shane WalshDefensemen (4): #4 Nick Neville, #6 Dan Milan, #7 Adam Larkin, #11 Charlie Vasaturo

They Said ItDillan Fox: "Getting an opportunity last season to play in Reading was awesome, to be able put on a jersey of a team I grew up around and followed was such an honor for me. The coaching staff and organization since day one has been a perfect fit, I'm excited being able to be back for another season and play in front of such a great fan base and carry on the great tradition Reading has in this league."

Brian Morgan: "I am extremely excited to be coming back to an organization that is focused on winning and putting together a high-quality product. We have an excellent group of guys coming together this season and I am very excited to pursue a championship with this team. I can’t wait to play in front of the passionate Reading Royals fans. They make this an unbelievable spot to play in with how much they support our team."

Head Coach Kirk MacDonald: "Both Dillan and Brian added some skill and depth for us at critical points last season. We know each can help us and hope they continue to have strong summers training."

Fox has spent the majority of his two professional campaigns with Mississippi (SPHL). In 32 games last season for the RiverKings, the right-handed shot recorded 23 goals (10th in SPHL) and 34 points. A SUNY-Plattsburgh graduate (DIII), Fox tallied 30 goals and 96 points over four seasons at the collegiate level.

Morgan is entering his second professional season. He scored six goals and 12 points for Pensacola (SPHL) early last season before transitioning to the ECHL. He spent three NCAA seasons at Maine (17g, 32 pts., 103 GP) and transferred to UConn for his final amateur season. At UConn, Morgan tallied seven goals and 14 points. The 24-year-old native of Windham, NH stands 6-foot and weighs 180 pounds.

Both players skated in one Kelly Cup Playoff game for the Royals last season.

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.