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ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Game 1 Preview: Worcester at Reading

October 13, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals, proud ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, start the 2018-19 regular season with a pregame block party, cowbell giveaway (first 6,500 fans) and performance by The Uptown Band at Santander Arena Saturday at 7:00 p.m vs. the Worcester Railers. Tickets are available here.

The Block Party takes place at Penn Street, which will host the block party from 2:00-6:00 p.m. At 4:15 p.m., the 2018-19 Royals will be introduced on the red carpet outside of the DoubleTree across from the arena. The Uptown Band and dance groups will perform during the Block Party.

Each fan will receive a cowbell as the Royals look to set multiple cowbell world records throughout the game.

The Royals and Railers are set for a rematch at Santander Arena Sunday at 5:00 p.m. The Royals will host a national cornhole tournament outside Santander Arena and a pregame tailgate from 2:00-4:00 p.m. The game is presented by Met-Ed and Philadelphia Eagles legends Vince Papale and Bill Bergey are at Santander Arena to sign autographs.

On the ice, the Royals look to win their second straight season opener. Last season, the Royals began the regular season with a 5-4 overtime win against Adirondack.

Opener history

The Royals open at home for the third straight season and are looking to take their second straight season opener. Last campaign, the Royals scored the first four goals and Derek Whitmore scored at :07 of overtime to defeat Adirondack, 5-4.

The Royals are 7-9-1-0 in season openers. The team lost its first-ever game at Trenton in 2001, but rebounded to win four of its next five opening contests.

Branden Komm is the 15th Royals goaltender to start a season opener. Notable other goalies to get the call in the first game include former NHL netminders Cody Rudkowsky, Jon Quick, Yutaka Fukufuji, Danny Taylor, Ben Scrivens, Philipp Grubauer, and Mark Dekanich.

Built to wear the "C"

Royals defenseman Nick Luukko was named team Captain Thursday, the first time in his professional career he's worn the "C." A native of West Chester, PA, Luukko grew up a Flyers fan and has spent all four of his professional seasons in the Philadelphia organization.

Luukko has played the fourth-most games in Royals history (202), more than any other defenseman. This season, he can catch Yannick Tifu (245 GP) for third-best in Reading lore. Last season, he increased his point total to 21, the third straight campaign he has improved his offensive numbers.

The 26-year-old signed an AHL contract with Lehigh Valley in the offseason and was returned on loan to Reading by Lehigh Valley Oct. 6.

Scouting Worcester

Eleven players that skated for the Railers last season are back for 2018-19, including former Royals forward Barry Almeida. A 2013 Kelly Cup Champion with the Royals, Almeida led the 2017-18 Railers with 22 goals and 61 points.

Worcester's offense ranked last in the 27-team ECHL in 2017-18, scoring 2.7 goals per game. The Royals ranked sixth in the ECHL in defense (2.8 GA/gm), just behind Worcester (5th, 2.7). Other notable returning Railers skaters include Woody Hudson (19g) and Mike Cornell (led team, 127 PIM).

In cage, Mitch Gillam is back for his second professional campaign. The native of Peterborough, ON led the ECHL with five shutouts and was fourth in the league with a 2.15 goals against average and .925 save percentage (23-14-0-2 record). After Jan. 25, Gillam stunned the league with a 16-5-0-0 record (3 SO) to help Worcester overcome a 13-point fourth-place deficit and qualify for the 2018 postseason.

Straight shooters

The Royals welcome back some familiar faces on the scoring side including Collegeville, PA native Chris McCarthy, who is the team's leading returning scorer after recording 59 points (22g, 37a) in 66 games with Reading last season. The fifth-year professional also topped Reading with six postseason points in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Second-year Royal Adam Schmidt put up 44 points (17g, 27a) in 58 games with Reading last season.

Michael Huntebrinker also returns for his second season in a Royals sweater. He added 41 points (20g, 21a) in 65 games last season as well as a +9 rating. Reading native Steven Swavely is back for his third season with his hometown team.

Where's the Beef?

Angus Redmond, nicknamed "Beef", joined the Royals last week, completing the goaltending tandem with Branden Komm . A 6-foot-1 native of Langley, BC, Redmond played 18 games with Utah last season and three with Toledo. He won two of his final three starts of the season for the Walleye. Redmond stopped 11 shots in the Royals 6-3 preseason win over the Adirondack Thunder Oct. 6.

Komm returns to Reading for his second season. He appeared in 11 games with the Royals last season, boasting a 6-2-2-0 record, a 2.06 GAA and .936 save percentage.

Opening Weekend, presented by Met-Ed

Season Opener: Sat., Oct. 13, 7:00 p.m.

Block party 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Food and drinks available | Performance by the Uptown Band | Attempt at setting the World Record for most cowbells played at a time | Cowbell giveaway (first 6,500 fans) | Red carpet introduction for the players

Philadelphia Eagles Legends Night (Vince Papale and Bill Bergey): Oct. 14, 5:00 p.m.

Pregame tailgate 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Appearance by Eagles legends Vince Papale and Bill Bergey | National cornhole tournament

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