Sports stats

ECHL Reading Royals

Royals add AHL forward to roster

September 29, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals, affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and AHL's Manchester Monarchs, have announced the signing of left wing Chris Bala.

Chris Bala joins the Royals after four successful seasons in the American Hockey League. Bala skated last season up the PA turnpike with the Hershey Bears. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder fired in nine goals and 14 points with 17 penalty minutes in 58 games. Since 2001-02, the current Pottstown, Pennsylvania resident has appeared in 253 AHL contests with Grand Rapids, Binghamton, Houston and Hershey. Of his 51 pro-career goals, 21 came in his rookie season in Grand Rapids in 2001-02. In addition, Bala appeared in six National Hockey League games with the Ottawa Senators that season registering one assist. Prior to turning professional, the Alexandria, Virginia native spent four seasons in the Ivy League with Harvard. In 123 career collegiate games, Bala tallied 45 goals and 99 points with 81 penalty minutes. The four-year-pro played high-school hockey locally at the Hill School in Pottstown. Currently, Bala is attending the Hershey Bears training camp.

"Chris Bala has been an American Leaguer his entire career. He is an unbelievable talent that should be a key scoring contributor," stated Royals coach Karl Taylor. "We are thrilled to sign Chris and I know he is happy to be close to home and be playing in Reading."

To date, the Royals have seventeen players under contract. Forwards Jon Francisco, Larry Courville, Grant Jacobsen, Rich Peverley, Kevin Saurette, Doug Christiansen, Steve Simoes, John Morlang, Malcolm MacMillan, Brendan Cook and Bala have committed to Reading. Defenseman Reagan Rome, TJ Kemp, Stuart Kerr, Mark Ardelan, Jeff State and goaltender Cody Rudkowsky complete the Royals roster for 2005-06.

The Royals will begin the 2005-06 season with a pair of preseason games with the defending Kelly Cup Champion Trenton Titans. On Saturday, October 15 the two clubs will meet in Monmouth, New Jersey, then battle again two days later on Monday, October 17 in the Body Zone Sports and Fitness Complex.

The Royals 5th Anniversary Season officially begins at home in the Sovereign Center on Saturday, October 29 against the Titans. The Royals will raise the North Division regular season championship banner prior to the drop of the puck. For ticket information including; season, half-season and quarter-season ticket packages visit the Royals website at www.royalshockey.com or call the Royals Hockey Headquarters at 610-898-PUCK (7825).

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics



ECHL Stories from September 29, 2005


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



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central