Sports stats



ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Sign Goaltender

August 21, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


(Reading, PA) – The Reading Royals have signed goaltender Scott Fankhouser for the 2002-2003 campaign. Fankhouser comes to the Royals with a very impressive background. He was selected 276th overall in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues. Since this time period, Fankhouser has spent time in the ECHL, AHL, IHL, and NHL. In the 1999-2000 season, Fankhouser became the first goaltender to advance from the ECHL to the NHL, suiting up for 16 games for the Atlanta Thrashers. During the 2000-2001 season, Fankhouser received the James Morris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the goaltender with the lowest goals against average in the regular season.

"This is a big signing for the Royals organization," said Royals coach David Lohrei. "Scott is a very experienced goaltender that brings leadership and professionalism to our locker room. I am excited to have him part of our club and look for him to lead us through our quest for the Kelly Cup."

Fankhouser ended last season in the American Hockey League with the Hershey Bears. In 8 games with Hershey, he posted a 5-2-1 record with a 2.34 GAA, and 1 shutout. With Fankhouser's experience, he will be asked to carry the load between the pipes for the Royals this season. The North Dakota native said he is up for the challenge.

"I'm excited to be in Reading this season," the new Royals netminder said. "Based on my conversations with the coach our goals are to win as many games as possible followed by hopefully a championship. That is what I want and we seem to be building a team to take a run at that goal."

Fankhouser becomes the first goaltender signed by the Royals and 12th player overall for the 2002-03 season. Defensively the Royals have signed Hunter Lahache, Antoine Bergeron, Jon Lessard and second year pro Jim Dube. Up front at the forward position, the Royals have agreed to terms with Larry Courville, Duilio Grande, Keegan McAvoy, Tom Rouleau, Brian McCullough, Kris Waltze and Ryan Carter.

The Reading Royals sophomore season faces off Friday, October 11 at home vs. legendary coach John Brophy and the Wheeling Nailers. Season, half season and group ticket packages are now on sale at the Royals Hockey Headquarters. Now is your chance to "Join the Pride" for the 2002-03 season. Visit the Royals website at www.royalshockey.com or call 610-898-7825 (PUCK). Royals Hockey...Pride!

Check out the Reading Royals Statistics

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

ECHL Stories from August 21, 2002


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