Royals pick up power forward Schmalz from Kansas City for futures

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals (@ReadingRoyals) announced Saturday the team has acquired forward Matt Schmalz from Kansas City for future considerations. Schmalz’s top offensive campaign came in his rookie season, 2017-18, when he posted 23 goals and 40 points in 59 games for Manchester. The Dunville, ON native stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 224 pounds. He is the 13th forward to join Reading for the team’s 20th anniversary season.Coach QuotesHead Coach Kirk MacDonald: “Matt is a proven 20-goal scorer in the ECHL who is at his best when he is using his size and strength to create offense. We are excited to add him our forward group and think he adds a much-needed physical element to our line-up. We look forward to seeing him develop into an elite power forward at our level.”Thorn no moreSchmalz has played in 11 career games against the Royals and scored eight times (11 pts.). He has had five career multi-goal games, two of which have come vs. Reading. In 2019-20, Schmalz scored four of his 12 goals against the Royals. He recorded 29 points in 52 games combined between Worcester, Kansas City and Indy.2020-21 RosterGoaltender (2): #40 Luke Peressini, #41 Ryan RuckDefensemen (8): #3 Rob Michel, #4 Aaron Titcomb, #6 Garrett Cecere, #8 David Drake, #19 Garret Cockerill, #24 Mike Crocock, #26 Joe Rutkowski, #58 Dominic CormierForwards (13): #7 Mitch Vanderlaan, #9 Brayden Low, #12 Cam Strong, #15 Jack Suter, #16 Hayden Hodgson, #17 Jackson Cressey, #21 Frank DiChiara, #23 Ryan Scarfo, #27 Luke Stork, #39 Brendan van Riemsdyk, #44 Matt Schmalz, #74 Luke Voltin, #81 Corey MackinSchmalz facts- Schmalz and defenseman David Drake each stand 6-foot-6, the tallest players on the 2020-21 Royals.- Logged 308 career games in the Ontario Hockey League between Kitchener, Sudbury and Owen Sound. He made his AHL debut with the Reign on March 30th, 2016 against the San Jose Barracuda and scored his first professional goal on April 16th against San Diego.