Royals Fan Favorite and Tough Guy Set to Return
Published on July 13, 2005 under 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 that third-year professional Jon Francisco and fourth-year pro Reagan Rome have agreed to terms to return to the Royals. Both players were members of the 2004-05 regular-season North Division champion squad.
Center Jon Francisco did not suffer the sophomore blues in his second professional season. Francisco was the only Royal to appear in a 72 regular-season games, which claimed him the Iron man of the Year Award at the 4th Annual Fan's Choice Awards Banquet. He was also voted the âfan favorite' claiming the Fan's Choice Award at the Royals end-of-the-season banquet. The 6-foot, 210-pound forward finished the 2004-05 campaign tied for the club lead in +/- rating (16), T3rd in goals scored (19), 3rd in shots (172) and T4th in scoring (40). The Hermantown, Minnesota native was selected to represent the National Conference in the 13th Annual ECHL All Star Game, registering an assist before the home crowd in Reading, Pennsylvania in the National Conference's 6-2 win.
Coach Derek Clancey is happy to secure a valuable piece of last season's puzzle for 2005-06, "Jon Francisco is the ultimate team player on and off the ice."
"Entering his third pro season, I am looking for greater contributions from Jon to help him and the team reach their goals," Clancey added.
Defenseman Reagan Rome returns to Reading for his third season with the purple, silver and black. Rome turned in his most successful offensive season in 2004-05 posting two goals, 19 assists (career high) for 21 points (career high) and 140 penalty minutes (career high) in 62 games played. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Nesbitt, Manitoba native celebrated his 200th professional game played on April 7, 2005 in the Royals 2-1 win over Toledo. In addition, Rome was promoted to Cincinnati (AHL) mid season for two games, skating with his brother Aaron on the blueline.
"Romer is a guy I know very well that really brings stability to our defensive corps," commented coach Clancey. "He is very comfortable in our system and should be a huge help to the young guys on our back end this season."
The Royals have moved their front offices to: 645 Penn Street, 3rd Floor, Reading, PA 19601.
The Royals 5th Anniversary Season faces off at home on October 29 against Kelly Cup Champion Trenton. The Royals will raise their 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 610-898-7825 (PUCK).
ECHL Stories from July 13, 2005
- Oliver resigns after five seasons behind the bench - Idaho Steelheads
- Jamie Johnson seeing Stars - Augusta Lynx
- Gladiators Ink Pair of Rookies - Atlanta Gladiators
- Royals Fan Favorite and Tough Guy Set to Return - Reading Royals
- Chiefs Re-Sign Cavanagh and Manzano - Johnstown Chiefs
- Gladiators Mini Plan Schedule Set - Atlanta Gladiators
- Bartl moving up to the AHL - Bakersfield Condors
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