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ECHL Reading Royals

Avalanche Assign Royal Reserves

December 2, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA – The Reading Royals, affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and AHL's Manchester Monarchs, announced today that defenseman Mikko Viitanen and left wing Sergei Klyazmin have been assigned to Reading by the Colorado Avalanche (NHL). In addition, the Royals added Penn State's Brian Gratz as an emergency back-up goaltender.

Mikko Viitanen returns for his second stint with the Reading Royals. The Finnish-born defenseman spent 47 games in Reading last season tallying 4 assists and 21 penalty minutes in the regular season. The 22-year-old defenseman appeared in 13 Kelly Cup Playoff contests with the Royals and chipped in an assist and eight penalty minutes, as well. The fifth round selection of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft has appeared in 19 games with the Royals AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, and scored one assist and accumulated four penalty minutes this season. Viitanen will wear sweater #26 for the Royals and is expected to be in the lineup tomorrow night as the Royals host Trenton at 7:05 p.m. in the Sovereign Center.

The Colorado Avalanche also assigned left wing Sergei Klyazmin to Reading. The 22-year-old forward has suited up for a total of 15 games with the Hershey Bears but has been held scoreless with two minutes in penalties. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound winger has appeared in five games in Colorado of the Central Hockey League this season scoring one goal and one assist along with nine penalty minutes. Klyazmin was drafted in the third round by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He will wear sweater #20 for Reading and is also expected in the lineup tomorrow night.

The Reading Royals are entering their fourth season in Reading, Pennsylvania after relocating from Columbus, Ohio. The Royals enjoyed their first Kelly Cup playoff appearance last season, claiming the Northern Division Title and were one win away from qualifying for the Kelly Cup Finals. The Royals and the City of Reading are proud to be hosting the 13th annual ECHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition presented by Coors Light on January 25 and 26.

Reading returns to the ice this weekend with a pair of games against the Trenton Titans. Friday, Reading hosts Trenton at 7:05 p.m. in the Sovereign Center. Fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears to the game for the Annual Teddy Bear Toss after the Royals first goal! Plus, the first 3,000 fans through the gate receive a t-shirt courtesy of Chevrolet – An American Revolution. The Titans and Royals meet in Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, New Jersey on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Follow all the Royals action on the Casa Grande Royals Radio Network beginning at 6:35 with the Classic Café pregame show!

For ticket information including; prorated season, half-season, quarter-season, voucher packs and group ticket packages visit the Royals website at www.royalshockey.com or call the Royals hockey headquarters at 610-898-PUCK (7825). Royals hockey...BLEED PURPLE!

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