D Steve Johnson released from PTO with Hershey, rejoins Reading

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, announced Friday defenseman Steve Johnson has rejoined the Royals roster after being released from a professional tryout contract (PTO) with the AHL’s Hershey Bears. The rookie defenseman skated in nine games with the Bears and generated an assist. With the Royals (23 GP), he has registered three goals, ten points and a plus-one rating.The University of Minnesota graduate generated 40 points (6g) in 119 NCAA games. He played in every game over his final two collegiate seasons and helped the Golden Gophers win the B1G regular season championship three times.The Los Angeles Kings selected Johnson in the fourth round, 120th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.Next Home GamesWed., Jan. 30, 7:00 p.m. vs. Maine: Postgame player autograph session, pres. by Rieck’s Printing.Sat., Feb. 2, 7:00 p.m. vs. Manchester: MARVEL Super Hero Night and Diamond Credit Union Wall of Honor Night. The Royals will wear Black Panther jerseys and honor broadcasters Mark Thompson and Pat Richards. The team will give away Thompson/Richards puck to the first 2,000 fans.Sun., Feb. 3, 2:00 p.m. vs. Manchester: Family Four Pack (4 burgers, 4 sodas and 4 tickets for $44).Listen to today’s game on the Mixlr App and Mixlr.com/ReadingRoyals, with pregame coverage starting 15 minutes before puck drop.About the RoyalsThe Royals are in their 18th ECHL season and 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.Listen to all Royals broadcasts at Mixlr.com/ReadingRoyals or by downloading the Mixlr App from the App Store or Google Play.