D Knodel recalled by Phantoms

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, announced Saturday defenseman Eric Knodel has been recalled from loan by Lehigh Valley. The reigning ECHL Defenseman of the Year ranks third in the league among blueliners with 22 assists and sixth in points (26). Knodel registered a helper and a plus-two rating in the Royals’ 5-2 victory Friday vs. Wheeling. The point was his 200th in the ECHL.Ten of his assists have come on the power play, which is tied for first in the ECHL for defensemen.A sixth-year professional, Knodel generated an ECHL-defensemen-best 17 goals last season while ticking in 53 points for the Cincinnati Cyclones. He was named an ECHL All-Star in 2017 and won the skills competitions’ hardest shot award (96 MPH).Knodel last played in the AHL in 2017-18 with Rochester (6 GP). A 2009 5th-round selection of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Knodel saw AHL action in parts of his first three seasons pro and has 39 career AHL games on his docket (10a, 10 PIM).  The West Chester, PA native played in the preseason with the Phantoms and was loaned to Reading Oct. 1.Single-game tickets and mini-plans are on sale by visiting royalshockey.com/promotions, calling 610-898-7825 and visiting Santander Arena and The Weidenhammer Box Office at 700 Penn Street, Reading, PA.Upcoming Home Games: royalshockey.com/promotions Fri Jan. 17 at 7:00 p.m. vs.  Adirondack (4-for-$48 game | Opioid Awareness Night): 4 tickets, 4 sodas and 4 burgers for  $48 by calling 610-898-7825 | $1 Sprite beverage special | Toiletry Drive | DVD DriveSun., Jan. 19 at 4:00 p.m. vs. Worcester ($1 Deal Day): $1 Hot Dogs, $1 Nachos, $1 Sodas | $2 Kids Tickets (12 and younger) | 1 free Applebee’s Meal and free kids  ticket  if you present a report card  with an “A” grade on itMon., Jan. 20 at 1:00 p.m. vs. Worcester (Kids Jersey Giveaway | MLK Day): First 1,000 kids receive a kids jersey | Free Parking from Reading Parking Authority |  Kids are off from school on MLK Day | 1 kids ticket, 1 guaranteed kids jersey, 1 hat, 1 Applebee’s kids meal ($15) | Kids Club Game| Postgame team meet-and-greet on the iceAbout the RoyalsThe Royals are in 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 oversees operations at 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 broadcasted on BCTV (Ch. 15 Comcast, Ch. 19 Service Electric) and Mixlr.