ECHL: Ghost Pirates Free Agent Signs with Reading Royals

Nolan (Right) watches Captain Boudens (Center) battle for puck Photo: Christina Slemp | Inside The Rink

Announced Wednesday, Savannah Ghost Pirates Forward Nolan Welsh has signed with the Reading Royals for the 24/25 season. Leaving the Ghost Pirates less than five months after signing a contract at the beginning of March. 

Welsh played three games for Savannah, all against the Kelly Cup Champion Florida Everblades. During one of the games, Nolan was checked from behind and did not return, spending the rest of the season on the injured reserve list. Nolan, who resembles a real-life Disney Prince, is one of the nicest players I have ever met. He brought solid skills and techniques to the team before he was injured. He will be a great addition to the Reading Royals. 

Photo Credit Long Island University Instagram Senior Night

Nolan’s NCAA career was with Long Island University, where he played 109 games with 19 goals, 32 assists, and only 48 career penalty minutes. Before that, he played with the BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League) on the Prince George Spruce Kings, where he saw ice time in 199 games with 22 goals and 61 assists. His team made the playoffs all four seasons he played with him, seeing 61 postseason playoff games. In one of those seasons, Nolan was awarded the Doyle Cup due to his two goals and one assist; that year, he also scored two of the three goals that his team had in their RBC Championship game. 

Nolan is one of many who are not returning to the Ghost Pirates. So far, only Logan Drevitch has been signed, leaving fans wondering what the Ghost Pirates will look like next season. Qualifying offers were announced on July 8th, but none of the players were announced as signing, which made them Free Agents.


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Stephanie DeLaFleur

Beat Writer covering the ECHL, AHL and NHL. Follow me on X @StephiDelafleur

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