ECHL 2024-25 Season Preview: Reading Royals

There is no secret that this is very much a comeback season in store for the Reading Royals. Last season, the Royals ended the season with a record of 29-35-6-2 overall and 16-17-1-2 at home. It was only the second time in the last 14 seasons that the Royals failed to qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Coaching:

Rewind to January 29th, 2024, when it was announced that, now, Head Coach and General Manager Jason Binkley was named interim Head Coach. Under the tutelage of Binkley, the Royals performed to a record of 13-16-3-1 for the remainder of the season. On May 17th, 2024, Binkley was named Head Coach and General Manager of the Reading Royals. In his press conference, he stated:

“I want to thank our affiliates in Lehigh Valley & Philadelphia. I also want to thank the players & fans. Everyone’s feedback has been nothing but positive as we look to build off the last few months of last season. Finally, I need to thank my wife Danielle and my son Wyatt for being alongside me for this journey and being the great support system they are at home.”

On July 17th, 2024, Assistant Coach Ryan Anderson was named to the position. This upcoming season will be Anderson’s 15th behind the bench. He has held different coaching roles from the NAHL to the NA3HL. He served as Assistant Coach for Corpus Christi IceRays and then joined the Texas Jr. Brahmas. The following season, Anderson was promoted to Head Coach of the Jr. Brahmas and led the team to earn their second Fraser Cup consecutively. Before he went into Coaching, Anderson served in the Navy for 6 years and he was an electronics technician. Anderson stated the following about becoming Assistant Coach:

“I am so very humbled and honored to be chosen as the next assistant coach of the Reading Royals. This is an amazing opportunity, and I would like to thank Jason Binkley and David Farrar for choosing me. The opportunity to work for such a well respected organization like the Royals, along with our affiliates Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia was one that I feel lucky to have been given. I am excited to be moving to the Reading community and look forward to meeting our wonderful fans and supporters. This next step in my career would not be possible without the amazing support I have been given from my girlfriend Lori and my family back in Michigan.”

Key Departures:

Every team in the ECHL loses players every off-season, whether it be through trade, AHL contract, or overseas. Royals were no exception to this. Joe Nardi, the leading point scorer, signed with Pioneers Vorarlberg in Austria. Devon Paliani was part of a three-team trade with Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Savannah Ghost Pirates in August that landed him with Savannah. Tag Bertuzzi was part of a trade for Travis Broughman and Vinnie Purpura and Bertuzzi earned an AHL deal with the Utica Comets. Nolan Maier and Mason Millman signed AHL contracts with Providence. Koletrane Wilson is now a referee in the ECHL for the 2024-2025 season. Darren Brady has signed with the Bakersfield Condors and Ryan Chyzowski signed with the Manitoba Moose for the upcoming season.

Overview of Forwards:

The job didn’t stop during the summer for Head Coach Binkley, as his signings throughout the summer showed. He signed the following players in the forward group:

Binkley signed returning players Yvan Mongo and Shane Sellar for their third full professional season. Broughman was acquired in a trade with Tag Bertuzzi. He also signed SPHL Forward Dominiks Marcinkevics, who had a career season in the SPHL last year and earned a call-up to the Adirondack Thunder. Connor McMenamin signed for his first full professional season and is currently at Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL Training Camp. Noah Prokop and Nolan Welsh were signed by Binkley for their rookie season, along with Lou-Felix Denis, who is also at Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL Training Camp. Brock Caufield and Todd Skirving were also signed. Caufield is among five players who are at the Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL Training Camp.

Overview of Defensemen:

Kenny Johnson was the first signing for the Royals this season out of the gate and is returning for his second full professional season. Powell Connor, who is currently at the Hershey Bears AHL Training Camp, and Tony Malinowski signed for their first full professional season with the Royals. Logan Britt was part of the three-team trade with Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Savannah Ghost Pirates. Britt is currently attending the Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL Training Camp.

Overview of Goaltending:

With the departure of Nolan Maier for the Providence Bruins, there was a spot to fill. In comes Vinnie Purpura. Purpura was acquired in a trade involving Tag Bertuzzi and was part of the package with Travis Broughman. Purpura played for the Adirondack Thunder last season and is currently attending the Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL Training Camp.

With the addition of some veterans and leadership to the locker room, and Binkley with his first full season as Head Coach, the Royals should be making some noise in the North Division this upcoming season.