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ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Ink Five Players, Four Agree to Tryout

October 3, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


READING, PA – The Reading Royals, the ECHL affiliate of the Manchester Monarchs, have announced the signings of forwards Peter Hay and Chris Heisten and defensemen Ian Turner, Dominic Periard and Jason Maleyko. General Manager Ray Delia also announced that Josh Franceschini, Jason Silverthorn, Terry Denike and Matt Junkins have agreed to tryout contracts with the Royals. Training camp is scheduled to start on Tuesday, October 7 at 9:00 a.m. at the Body Zone.

Hay and Heisten join forwards Kent Davyduke, Nick Lent, David Masse, Duilio Grande and Dave Stewart up front. Hay, a British Columbia native, attended the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. His best season took place in 2001-02 when he notched a career high nine goals and 20 points. He is currently attending the Hershey Bears training camp.

Chris Heisten is a rookie forward from the University of Maine. Heisten began his professional career attending the AHL's Hartford Wolfpack training camp. After being released last Sunday, Heisten was invited to attend the Monarchs training camp in New Hampshire. The 25-year-old forward posted his most productive numbers in his final season with the Black Bears tallying 15 goals and 31 points. The Anchorage, Alaska native spent one season with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League in 1997-98.

"We added some quality depth and size with the signings of these two Hockey East products, stated Reading coach Clancey. "Peter looked very solid in Hershey's training camp when I saw him work out early in the week. He was a pleasant surprise. I am looking forward to seeing Chris in Reading. I have heard great things about him and he had a great career at the University of Maine."

The Royals also added three defensemen to their 2003-04 roster. Joining previous signees, Jon Zion and Jay Leach are Dominic Periard, Jason Maleyko and Ian Turner. Periard spent last season with the Lexington Men-O-War of the ECHL. In his second professional season, the Quebec native scored two goals and twelve points along with 88 minutes in penalties. He finished the season with the American Hockey League's Hamilton Bulldogs.

Jason Maleyko, currently in training camp with the Manchester Monarchs, spent the last seven seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with Oshawa, Windsor, Brampton, Canadian University and St. Mary's. Maleyko is currently attending the Manchester Monarchs training camp.

6-foot, 1-inch, 190-pound Ian Turner is the final signee for the Royals today and fifth defenseman signed overall by the club for the upcoming season. In his first professional season last year, Turner notched six goals and 15 points along with 58 penalty minutes for the Richmond Renegades. Turner is currently attending the Hershey Bears training camp.

Today's defensive signees encourage Coach Clancey, "I think this is a solid, solid group of defensemen. Each player brings a slightly different element to our team. The common denominator with these three young men is that they are tough and will protect their own zone first."

Royals Weekly is set to open its third season this Monday, October 6 at Casa Grande Restaurant in Wyomissing. The show starts at 6:00 p.m. and can be heard live on ESPN Radio, 1240AM. Royals Weekly will feature head coach Derek Clancey, comments from Royals correspondent Joe O'Donnell on the latest on the Royals affiliates, the Manchester Monarchs and LA Kings, new Royal tough guy Dave Stewart and John Walton, the voice of the Hershey Bears. Prizes, food and drink specials will be available at Casa Grande. The show is open to the public.

The Royals face off their third season on Friday, October 17 in Trenton against the Titans. The Royals home opener is slated for Saturday, October 18 versus the expansion Texas Wildcatters. Get to the game early for the Quadrant Engineering "Wild in the Streets Block Party" beginning at 2:00 p.m. Season, half-season, mini-pack 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).

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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.

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