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ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Sign Pair of Centers for Fifth Anniversary Season

September 2, 2005 - 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 signings of centermen Rich Peverley and Grant Jacobsen for the 2005-06 season.

Peverley, 23, returns to the ECHL for his second professional season in 2005-06. The Guelph, Ontario native had a successful rookie campaign with the American Conference's South Carolina Stingrays. Peverley notched 30 goals and 58 points along with 72 penalty minutes in 69 regular season games, which was good for fourth on the team in scoring. In four playoff appearances, Peverley notched two goals and two assists with six penalty minutes. From January 10 - 16, Peverley earned ECHL Player of the Week honors after scoring five goals and chipping in two assists in just four outings. In 2004-05, the 6-foot, 190-pound center led the ‘Rays in power play goals (10) and was second on the club in power play points (21). The speedy forward spent four years playing collegiate hockey with St. Lawrence University, scoring 117 points (44g-73a) in 138 games, including career bests in goals (17), assists (25) and points (41) in 42 games as a senior.

"Rich is a big signee for us in 2005-06. He can put the puck in the net and he is very creative on the power play," commented first-year coach Karl Taylor. "He had an exceptional season as a rookie and we expect more of the same from him this season."

Jacobsen, a 9th round draft choice (270th) of the St. Louis Blues in 2001, spent last season at the University of Manitoba. He was teammates with recently signed right wing Kevin Saurette. In 31 games in Canadian Interuniversity play, Jacobsen tallied 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points with 45 penalty minutes. The Neepawa, Manitoba native also spent six seasons in the Western Hockey League with Regina and Kamloops from 1998-2004. During his WHL career, the 6-foot-3, 210 pound centerman scored 77 goals and 136 assists for 213 points, while adding 270 penalty minutes in 314 games played. He also appeared in 30 Memorial Cup playoff games notching a goal and seven points with 20 penalty minutes.

Coach Taylor believes Jacobsen could help the Royals in many capacities, "Based on what I have heard about Grant he is a guy with good size and strength that is a versatile player. His size and style of play should be well suited to the professional game."

The Royals 5th Anniversary Season faces off October 29 against Kelly Cup Champion Trenton. The Royals will raise the North Division regular season champion 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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