ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Add Defensemen David Strathman and Derrick Lapoint

Published on September 1, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League and the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defensemen David Strathman ("STRATH man") and Derrick LaPoint ("lah POINT"). The Royals have now announced sixteen players as signed for the 2011-12 season-nine forwards (Phil Aucoin, Ryan Cruthers, Joe Cucci, Casey Haines, Olivier Labelle, Chad Painchaud, Richard Purslow, John Scrymgeour, and Everett Sheen) and seven defensemen (Bryan Brutlag, Dave Cowan, Rob Kwiet, Chris Nutini, Denny Urban, Strathman and LaPoint).

Last season, Strathman (6'2/199) (26), who hails from Tempe, Arizona, led all first year defenseman in the Central Hockey League with forty-one points (13g-28a) in sixty-six regular season games for the Allen Americans. Strathman, who added three points (1g-2a) in five playoff games for the Americans, was selected to the CHL's All Rookie Team at the conclusion of the year. Prior to turning pro, Strathman played four seasons at Northeastern University, where he twice led NU defensemen in scoring, including his junior season, 2008-09, when the Huskies advanced to the NCAA Tournament-and at one point of the season were ranked fourth in the nation, the highest ranking for any NU sports team in the school's history. Strathman racked up fifty points (12g-38a) and eighty seven penalty minutes in 129 total collegiate games while at Northeastern.

LaPoint, (6'2/197) (23), who will be entering his first season as a pro, scored two goals and assisted on eight others (ten points) and picked up eight penalty minutes in forty-three games in his senior season for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Last year, LaPoint, who was a co-recipient of the Archie Krum Memorial Athletic Scholarship for leadership, high academic standards, and athletic excellence, served as an alternate captain for UND. A fourth round pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, LaPoint received the Unsung Hero Award for UND's overall athletic program in his junior year after leading the school's defensemen in scoring that season with twenty-two points (2g-20a) in forty-three games. A three-time member of the All-WCHA Academic Team, LaPoint registered forty-four points (7g-37a) and seventy penalty minutes in 149 total games over four seasons with the Fighting Sioux, who earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament during all four of LaPoint's seasons at the school and twice advance to the Frozen Four. LaPoint hails from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he was a two-time selection to the Wisconsin High School All-State Team prior to spending a season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, where he was a First Team All-USHL member and was chosen to the league's All-Rookie Team.

The Royals face the Cincinnati Cyclones in the team's 2011-12 ECHL home opener on Saturday, October 22, 2011 (7:05 pm). Royals' season tickets are currently available. Call 610-898-7825 for more information or log onto www.royalshockey.com . Is your club, group, or organization looking for fun and entertaining speakers for an upcoming event' Contact the Royals' Speakers Bureau to book a team representative for your next outing. More information on the Royals Speakers Bureau is available by contacting Mark Thompson at 484-400-3565 or mthompson@royalshockey.com.

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