Royals Sign Lahache
August 15, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release
(Reading, PA) â The Reading Royals signed their 11th player for the 2002-03 campaign. Hunter Lahache becomes the fourth defenseman added to the Royals roster for the upcoming season. The rookie defenseman spent the last four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 2000-01 and last season, Lahache ranked 2nd in the QMJHL in penalty minutes. In 2000-01 he visited the sin bin for 466 minutes and last season over 500 minutes.
"There is no question Hunter is a big physical player. He plays hard and will be a solid stabilizer on the blueline," said Coach David Lohrei. "I had a chance to watch Hunter in the LA Kings rookie camp and he impressed all the coaches there," Lohrei commented.
Lahache was a late edition to the Los Angeles Kings rookie developmental camp in July. While at the camp he opened up several eyes to his talents, including his own. "The Kings camp was an eye opener. I met with Coach Lohrei there and he said that if I work on my skating abilities and stamina that I may be able to get to and stay at that level," said Lahache.
Lahache also played with old friend and former Royal Ryan Flinn. Flinn and Lahache were teammates and played against each other in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Flinn, who had a great rookie season last year, now was giving advice to his younger teammate.
"Flinn just told me to just give it all you got every time you step onto the ice. Listen and learn something new each day," Lahache recalled Flinn telling him.
Lahache joins rookie defensemen Antoine Bergeron, Jon Lessard and second year pro Jim Dube on the blueline. 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 October 11 at home vs. legendary coach John Brophy and the Wheeling Nailers. Season and half season 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!
Royals Set Pre Season Schedule
The Reading Royals will again play a pair of pre season games this year. The Royals will face off against a very familiar foe, the Trenton Titans. Thursday October 3, Reading will meet Trenton in the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton New Jersey at 7 p.m. The two teams will square off in the Sovereign Center on Saturday October 5 at 7:05 p. m. As an added bonus season ticket holders will receive free admission to the home pre season game.
Royals general manager Ray Delia says that the pre season games are always important, "It's always a positive to have a couple of pre season games to evaluate players during an abbreviated training camp period. Players react differently in game situations than practice."
ECHL Stories from August 15, 2002
- Express Retains Help off the Ice - Roanoke Express
- Defenseman Ryan Gaucher Signs; 12th Player Inked for 2002-03 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Wheeling Nailers Top Scorer Commits to Play in Roanoke - Roanoke Express
- Jackals Beef Up Defensive Corps, Re-Sign Guinn - Elmira Jackals
- Royals Sign Lahache - Reading Royals
- Sea Wolves Acquire Byfuglien and Cava in Trade - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- K-Wings Ink Two More, Including Local Player - Kalamazoo Wings
- Miller Named to Communications Post - Greenville Grrrowl
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