Ustimenko named Warrior Hockey ECHL Goalie of the Month

Watch: Ustimenko’s highlight reel

Princeton, NJ – – Kirill Ustimenko of the Reading Royals has been selected as the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Month for January. It is the sixth time in team history and the first since Jan. 2018 (John Muse) a Royals netminder has won Goaltender of the Month. Ustimenko is the first Royals rookie goalie ever to win the monthly distinction.Ustimenko went 6-1-1 with a 1.87 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in eight appearances during the month.Royals to win Goaltender of the MonthPeter Hamerlik (Feb. 2004, 6-0-1, 1.42 GAA, .955 sv.%)Cody Rudkowsky (Nov. 2005, 6-1-0, 1.72 GAA, .943 sv.%, 1 shutout)Philipp Grubauer (Nov. 2012, 10-1-0, 2.13 GAA, .919 sv.%)Riley Gill (Mar. 2013, 9-2-1, 1.24 GAA, .953 sv.%, 3 shutouts)John Muse (Jan. 2018, 9-2-0, 1.97 GAA, .940 sv.%, 1 shutout)Kirill Ustimenko (Jan. 2020, 6-1-1, 1.87 GAA, .935 sv.%).The 21-year-old allowed two goals or less in six of his eight appearances while making at least 24 saves five times. After suffering a loss in his first appearance of the month on Jan. 4 against Worcester, Ustimenko went 6-0-1 over his final seven starts.Selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round (80th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Ustimenko leads ECHL rookies, and is third overall in the league, with 18 wins while ranking sixth with a 2.48 goals-against average and tied for eighth with a .916 save percentage.Ustimenko spent the previous three seasons in the Junior Hockey League (MHL) in Russia, and earned a bronze medal with Russia at the 2017 U18 IIHF World Championship. Last season, he led all MHL goaltenders, and set an all-time MHL record, with 12 shutouts, bettering his previous best of 11 from 2017-18.The Reading Royals invite all to come to the team’s Pink in the Rink game on Sat., Feb. 8 at 7:00 p.m. for a chance to be named as the 3-millionth fan in Royals history. One lucky fan will be selected randomly and be given a special gameday experience and prizes for being the 3-millionth fan ever to attend a Royals home game. The Pink in the Rink Game is presented by Adams & Associates, Alvernia University and Lamar Advertising. In addition to the 3-millionth fan celebration, the Pink in the Rink game features special pink ice, breast cancer awareness jerseys, $1 Pink Rose draft cider and a fleece blanket giveaway to the first 1,500 fans in attendance. The day is part of a doubleheader of hockey at Santander Arena; fans that purchase a ticket also receive admission to Alvernia University’s women’s hockey game at 2:00 p.m. vs. Manhattanville College.Single-game tickets are available here and groups of 10 or more receive ticket discounts plus food and a hat. Call 610-898-7825 for details or visit royalshockey.com/promotions for details.Upcoming Home Games: royalshockey.com/promotions Fri., Feb. 7 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Atlanta (Ladies Night/Wine Tasting)Free Wine Tasting on the concourse with Deerfoot Vineyards, Black River Farms, King Cole Winery and RoseLawn Bistro | College ID Night: $5 tickets with valid college ID at box office| $1 SmoothiesSat., Feb. 8 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Wheeling (Pink in the Rink)Royals play on pink ice with Fleece Blanket Giveaway to the first 1,500 fans | Breast Cancer Awareness Jerseys$1 Pink Rose Draft Cider | Doubleheader: 1 ticket also gets you admission to the Alvernia Women’s Hockey Game at 2:00 p.m.Sun., Feb. 16 at 4:00 p.m. vs. Worcester (Kids Club Game)Last free postgame skate of the season, presented by Body Zone | Team Photo Giveaway | $1 Hot Dog, $1 Soda & $1 Nacho Concession Special Pricing | Game Included Kids Club Packages presented by Applebee’s, Schuykill Valley Sports and YMCA of Reading and Berks County (Sign Ups Available)About 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.