Sports stats



ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Deal For Forward and All-Star Defenseman

August 21, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA – The Reading Royals have announced that they have traded the rights to forward Colin Pepperall and defenseman Ray DiLauro to the Columbus Cottonmouths for the rights to forward Mike Lee and all-star defenseman Darren Tiemstra. This is the second trade the Royals have made for an all-star in ten days. On August 11, Reading completed a trade with Mississippi for all star forward Kent Davyduke. Coach Clancey says the trade should benefit both teams.

"We have acquired the rights to two big, physical players that should fit in very well with the type of team we are trying to build in Reading," Clancey stated. "Both players are young and talented and they like to play a physical game."

Forward Mike Lee completed his second professional season last year with the Columbus Cottonmouths. Lee appeared in 63 games and tallied a career high 281 penalty minutes. The 6-foot, 230-pound Anchorage, Alaska native spent time in his rookie season in 2001 with the Charlotte Checkers and Pee Dee Pride. Lee played junior hockey in the rugged Western Hockey League for Kootenay and Tri-City. Royals first year coach Derek Clancey is impressed with Lee's tenacity.

"Mike Lee's greatest strengths are his intensity and toughness. He is a guy that knows how to play the physical game and do it very productively for his team," Clancey commented.

The Royals other acquistion is ECHL all-star defenseman Darren Tiemstra. Tiemstra has spent the past two seasons in Columbus with the Cottonmouths. His five goals and 27 points earned him his first ECHL all-star bid. Prior to turning pro, Teimstra spent four seasons with the University of Alaska Fairbanks of the CCHA. According to Coach Clancey, whenever you have a chance to acquire an all-star caliber player you have to take advantage of it.

"Darren is a guy that I am familiar with spending the last two seasons in the South," Clancey said. "He was an all-star in 2002 and we think he has a tremendous upside."

The Reading Royals face off their third season in Reading on Friday, October 17 in Trenton against the Titans. The Royals home opener is slated for Saturday, October 18 versus the expansion Texas Wildcatters. Season, half season and group tickets are on sale now by calling the Reading Royals Hockey Headquarters at 35 North 6th Street in downtown Reading 610-898-7825 (PUCK) or toll free 866-789-7627 (ROAR).

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from August 21, 2003


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.

OurSports Central