ECHL: Reading Royals’ 2022-23 Points Leader Signs in Germany

Reading Royals’ points leader, Charlie Gerard, signed with the Nürnberg Ice Tigers in the DEL for the 2023-24 season. Fans were not excited to hear the news as he has become quite the player in Reading, totaling 76 points for the season.

Charlie Gerard made quite the impact during his two seasons with the Reading Royals, starting in the 2021-22 season when the Royals returned after a season break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That season was a memorable one as it was the best record for the Royals in team history, and Gerard got to be a part of it while he was under contract with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. During that season, he played eight games with the Royals scoring two goals and two assists. Though his presence at the time seemed relatively insignificant to the totals of that season, fans still enjoyed his ability to get down the ice at lightning speed on a breakaway.

Last season, Gerard truly made his mark, spending the season almost entirely with the Royals while still contracted to the Phantoms. He played in 62 games and became the Royals’ points leader for the season with 76 points. His points divvy up to 33 goals and 43 assists. With his strong impact on the team and the ability to average out 1.23 points per game, it was no question why he carried an “A” on his jersey for the season. He scored the only shootout goal of the season against Trois-Rivières on April 2nd, the first and only shootout during the season.

Gerard now takes his skills to Germany, where he will play in the DEL (Deutsche Eishockey Liga) for the Nürnberg Ice Tigers. Royals fans have expressed their sadness to see him go after such an incredible season, but many have wished him the best of luck in this next step of his career.