
Gianfranco Cassaro Loaned to Reading by Lehigh Valley
January 30, 2025 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release
Reading, PA - The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, announced that defenseman Gianfranco Cassaro has been loaned to Reading by Lehigh Valley.
Cassaro, 25, has registered 22 points (6g-16a), along with eight penalty minutes and a -11 rating in 39 games to open his professional career with Reading this season. A native of Nobleton, Ontario, Cassaro leads all Reading blue-liners in goals (6) and shots (85), while ranking second among Royals' defensemen in assists (16) and power play assists (8). He also scored his first professional career goal on November 1st against the Trois-Rivières Lions.
The 5'11", 187-pound, left-shot defenseman signed an American Hockey League contract with Lehigh Valley on August 20th, 2024 out of R.I.T. (Rochester Institute of Technology). In 2023-24, Cassaro registered 38 points (18g-20a) in 40 games to lead all NCAA defensemen in goals while finishing fourth in points. He totaled 35 career goals at R.I.T. which set a program record for most goals by a defenseman in the D1-era.
His five-year NCAA career also included two years at UMass-Amherst and totaled 81 points (36g-45a) across 157 games. Additionally, Cassaro played two seasons for the Youngstown Phantoms in the United Stated Hockey league (USHL) where he accumulated 43 points (11g-32a) in 86 USHL career games.
-
Royals Upcoming:
The Royals return home for a three-game home stand beginning with a two-game series against the Adirondack Thunder on Saturday, February 1st at 7:00 PM and Sunday, February 2nd at 3:00 PM. The home stand concludes against the Norfolk Admirals on Tuesday, February 4th at 10:30 AM.
ECHL Stories from January 30, 2025
- Lions Now Sit Atop the North Division - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Orlando Solar Bears, Hammer & Nails Partner for 2024-25 Season - Orlando Solar Bears
- ECHL Transactions - January 30 - ECHL
- Three Players Return from San Jose - Wichita Thunder
- Gianfranco Cassaro Loaned to Reading by Lehigh Valley - Reading Royals
- Ryan Fanti Recalled by Syracuse Crunch; Solar Bears Sign Goaltender Ty Taylor - Orlando Solar Bears
- Defenseman Connor Punnett Re-Called to AHL's Texas Stars - Idaho Steelheads
- Idaho Steelheads Weekly - Week 15 - Idaho Steelheads
- Jake Chiasson Reassigned by Ottawa Senators to the Orlando Solar Bears from Belleville Senators - Orlando Solar Bears
- Adrien Bisson Traded to Adirondack - Florida Everblades
- Americans Defeat Rapid City 3-2 to End Losing Skid - Allen Americans
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Reading Royals Stories
- Royals Release 2025-26 Regular Season Schedule
- Junior Royals Announce Rosters for 2025-26 DVHL Season
- Jr. Royals Squirts & PeeWees Combine for 10-5-1 Record & 72 Goals in DVHL Placement Tournament
- Save the Date Royals 2025-26 Home Opener Is November 8
- Royals in the Community: 2024-25 Season Highlights

