Reading, PA - The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, announced that defenseman Artem Kulakov has re-signed with the club for the 2026-27 season.

Kulakov, 23, is entering his fourth-full professional season after registering 10 points (3g-7a) and a second-team most 150 penalty minutes across 66 games with Reading last season. The Bolshoy Kamen, Russia native also skated in all five games for Reading in the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs, adding 10 penalty minutes.

In 183 professional career games, all in the ECHL, Kulakov has totaled 37 points (13g-24a) and 299 penalty minutes between the Worcester Railers (2022-24), Allen (2024-25) and Reading (2025-26).

"I am super excited to be back for another year as a Royal," stated Kulakov. "I can't wait to see the fans at Santander Arena on October 24th and to get that place rocking again. The bar is set high this year so we can't wait to get after it."

"Arty is a player who plays with his heart on his sleeve,” stated Anthony Peters, Head Coach & General Manager. "He plays against other teams top lines, he sticks up for teammates, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to win. He became a fan favorite last year. We are happy to have him back and look forward to seeing him grow as a player.”

Prior to beginning his professional career with Worcester in the spring of the 2022-23 campaign, Kulakov played two seasons with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. In 102 games played for Erie, the 6'2”, 216-pound, left-shot defenseman tallied 16 points (5g-11a) to go with 145 penalty minutes.

Royals 2026-27 roster (4):

Forward (1): Connor McMenamin

Defensemen (3): Artem Kulakov, Jack Page, Carter Schade

-

Home Opener:

The Royals player their home opener at Santander Arena on Saturday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m. against Kalamazoo. The home opener opens a two-game series with the Wings which concludes on Sunday, October 25 at 3:00 p.m. The Royals hoist a record of 9-11-1-3 in home openers with their last home opener victory coming against the Norfolk Admirals, 6-4, on October 23 of the 2021-22 season.

Fans can secure their seat for Opening Night today with a Royals ticket plan. The Royals offer plans ranging from as low as 4 games all the way up to our full season Royals365 Membership.

VIEW ALL TICKET PLANS

Royals single-game ticket information will be announced later this summer. For more on the home opener, click HERE.

What's Upcoming:

CALLING ALL FUTURE ROYALS! Registrations are now OPEN for the RRYHA In-House Leagues, presented by Visions Federal Credit Union! Open to all 4-16 year olds, learn more about each league and register your skater 👉 https://bit.ly/YTHLeagues

𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣 𝙏𝙤 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮, presented by Visions Federal Credit Union! Be the first to skate the new introduced Lions Cubs LTP Program (ages 4-9) or attend the Intermediate Skills Clinic (ages 10-16) (REGISTER)

𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙨 (REGISTER: bit.ly/4pSVJhc)

Support the Reading Royals official charitable arm, 𝙎𝙡𝙖𝙥𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨, which believes that Every Child Deserves to Play. Learn more about Slapshot Charities: bit.ly/4j1qaQa

See upcoming Learn to Skate sessions at the Body Zone Sports & Wellness Complex (LEARN MORE: https://bodyzonesports.com/learn-to-skate/)

-

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

-

2026-27 Season Memberships

Royals365 Season Memberships, select game plans, and group tickets are available for the 2026-27 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 entering their 25th season in the ECHL. They won their first Kelly Cup championship in 2013 and have clinched playoff berths in 14 of their last 16 seasons. They are five-time division champions and were the 2021-22 Eastern Conference regular season champion. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals and oversees operations at Santander Arena.