ECHL Reading Royals

Royals "Rudy" signs contract

Published on September 21, 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 the signing of goaltender Cody Rudkowsky.

One of the most popular players in Royals history, Cody Rudkowsky, has committed to play in Reading for his third straight season. Rudkowsky split time with Reading and Providence of the American Hockey League last season. In 20 appearances for the Royals, the Willingdon, Alberta native posted an 8-11-1 record and a 2.17 goals against average with a .919 save percentage. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound netminder saw 14 games of AHL action and recorded a 4-7-2 mark with a 3.20 goals against average and .898 save percentage.

Royals first-year coach Karl Taylor said this is a huge signing for his club, "Cody Rudkowsky is one of the premier goaltenders in this league. Two years ago, he was instrumental in the Royals first Kelly Cup Playoff run. We as an organization are ecstatic to have him back in the purple, silver and black."

Rudkowsky has played more games between the pipes for Reading than any other goaltender. Overall, he boasts a 32-29-7 mark with a 2.28 goals against average and a .925 save percentage in 66 regular season appearances with the Royals. In 2003-04, he led Reading to within one game of the Kelly Cup Finals. The six-year professional posted a 8-6-0 postseason mark with a 2.02 goals against average and a sparkling .937 save percentage. He lays claim to the Royals first-ever postseason victory (4/5/04 @ Johnstown, 2-1W), and the first-ever shutout win (4/14/04 @ Wheeling, 30-save performance in Royals 4-0 series clinching win). His 24 regular-season victories in 2003-04 is a record for Royals netminders. In addition, Rudkowsky has captured ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors twice in the Royals purple, silver and black.

Taylor believes all these accomplishments have not dampened Rudkowsky's hockey hunger, "Based on conversations with Cody, first and foremost, he loves Reading and the way he has been treated over the last two years by the fans. He feels last season didn't meet his expectations and he is looking forward to rebounding this year."

To date, the Royals have sixteen players under contract. Forwards Jon Francisco, Larry Courville, Grant Jacobsen, Rich Peverley, Kevin Saurette, Doug Christiansen, Steve Simoes, John Morlang, Malcolm MacMillan and Brendan Cook have committed to Reading. Defensemen Reagan Rome, TJ Kemp, Stuart Kerr, Mark Ardelan, Jeff State and goaltender Rudkowsky complete the Royals roster for 2005-06.

The Royals will begin the 2005-06 season with a pair of preseason games with the defending Kelly Cup Champion Trenton Titans. On Saturday, October 15 the two clubs will meet in Monmouth, New Jersey, then battle again two days later on Monday, October 17 in the Body Zone Sports and Fitness Complex.

The Royals 5th Anniversary Season officially begins at home in the Sovereign Center on Saturday, October 29 against the Titans. The Royals will raise the 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-PUCK (7825).

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ECHL Stories from September 21, 2005


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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