Rookie D Jimmy Mazza re-ups with Royals

Reading, PA – Rookie defenseman Jimmy Mazza has re-signed with the Reading Royals on an ECHL contract, Head Coach Kirk MacDonald announced Tuesday. Mazza is the second defenseman and sixth skater to agree to a deal with Reading for 2019-20. Following the completion of his NCAA career at Canisius College in March, Mazza signed with Reading and played in two games (5 PIM). In his second contest on Mar. 16, he sparred with Indy’s Connor Moynihan to earn his first professional fighting major.As a senior at Canisius, Mazza was an alternate captain and topped Golden Griffins defensemen with six goals and 24 points. In his final three seasons on campus, he ranked either first or second among team defensemen in points.2019-20 Royals rosterDefensemen (2): Jeremy Beaudry, Jimmy MazzaForwards (4): Olivier Labelle, Brayden Low, Frank DiChiara, Corey MackinThey said it:Mazza: “Coach MacDonald cares about winning and I want to go to a franchise that wants to win a championship. In my time last season, we had some big crowds and it showed how passionate the fan base is. I’m also excited to have Assistant Coach Nick Luukko on staff and I can’t wait to pick his brain so I can improve.”MacDonald: “Jimmy brought good energy and buy-in to our team in March and we’re happy to welcome him back for his first pro season. He had a career year last season at Canisius and he adds mobility and physicality to our blue line.”Biography rundownIn four years at Canisius (118 GP), Mazza accumulated 18 goals, 68 points and 169 PIM. He played in every Canisius game as a junior and missed one game as a senior.In 2016-17, Mazza was a sophomore and helped guide the Golden Griffins to their first regular season Atlantic Hockey championship.Prior to playing at Canisius, Mazza won 2015 USPHL Defenseman of the Year with the P.A.L. Junior Islanders.Royals season memberships and mini-plans are available for 2019-20 by heading to royalshockey.com/restoretheroar, visiting the Royals Box Office at Santander Arena (700 Penn Street) and calling 610-898-7825. The first Royals’ home game is Sat., Oct. 19 vs. Maine at 7:00 p.m., featuring a massive block party, games, food, drinks and a special “Downtown Alive” concert on Penn Street before the home opener.For the latest team news, visit royalshockey.com/news, and follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/ReadingRoyals), Twitter (Twitter.com/ReadingRoyals) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ReadingRoyals). Use #RestoreTheRoar to join the conversation.About the RoyalsThe Royals are entering their 19th ECHL season and are proudly affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The Royals won the Kelly Cup in 2013, have made the playoffs 14 times, and are four-time division champions. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals and helps oversee Santander Arena and the Santander Arena Performing Arts Center.Listen to all Royals broadcasts at Mixlr.com/ReadingRoyals or by downloading the Mixlr App from the App Store or Google Play. All Royals away games are broadcast on BCTV (Ch. 15 Comcast, Ch. 19 Service Electric) and Mixlr.