Xavier Bernard, D Loaned to Reading by Lehigh Valley

Reading, PA - The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, announced that defenseman Xavier Bernard has been loaned to Reading by Lehigh Valley.

Bernard, 24, is on an American Hockey League contract with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to begin his fourth professional season. The Mercier, Quebec native has amassed 39 points (7g-32a), 146 penalty minutes and a +23 rating in 159 professional career games between the AHL and ECHL.

Across 107 ECHL career games, the 6'4", 209-pound, left-shot blue-liner has registered 35 points (6g-29a), 118 penalty minutes and a +40 rating in stints with the Atlanta Gladiators (2021-22) Allen Americans (2022-23) and Fort Wayne Komets (2023-24). Bernard recorded four points (1g-3a), 28 penalty minutes and a -17 rating in 52 AHL career games between the Belleville Senators (2021-23) and Bakersfield Condors (2023-24).

Bernard was selected in the fourth round, #110 overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to beginning his professional career in 2021-22 with Atlanta in the ECHL, Bernard played five seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) where he totaled 103 points (23g-80a), 265 penalty minutes and a +80 rating in 275 QMJHL career games. He also represented Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Championships in 2017.

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Opening Night on Oct. 26th, presented by Supportive Concepts for Families:

The Royals play their home opener at Santander Arena on Saturday, October 26 at 7:00 p.m. against the Wheeling Nailers. The home opener opens a two-game series with the Nailers which concludes on Sunday, October 27 at 3:00 p.m. The Royals hoist a record of 9-9-1-3 in home openers with their last home opener victory coming against the Norfolk Admirals, 6-4, on October 23 of the 2021-22 season.

In addition to the game, Opening Night will feature a block party immediately outside of Santander Arena on Penn Street. Fans can enjoy family activities and games, music, inflatables, Slapshot and Ice Angel photo opportunities, red carpet introductions of the 2024-25 Royals, and MORE right up to the first puck drop of the season at home!

For tickets to Opening Night, and all 36-home games this season, visit: Single Game Tickets

Follow the Royals on X, Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to the 𝘙𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘰𝘮 email list to know when promotions and deals at all 36 homes games this season goes live!

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2024-25 Season Memberships

Royals365 Season Memberships, six-game plans, ten-game plans, and group tickets are available for the 2024-25 season now by visiting the Royals’ box office at Santander Arena or by calling 610-898-7825.

About the Royals

The Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, are in their 23rd season in the ECHL. They won their first Kelly Cup championship in 2013 and have clinched playoff berths in 12 of the previous 14 seasons. They are five-time division champions and were the 2021-22 Eastern Conference champion. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals and oversees operations at Santander Arena.