ECHL: Reading Royals Acquire Defenseman Robbie Calisti from Jacksonville Icemen

Photo: Andrew Fielder | Inside the Rink

In a notable move within the ECHL, the Jacksonville Icemen have traded defenseman Robert Calisti to the Reading Royals for future considerations. This trade is expected to have significant implications for both teams as they look to further strengthen their rosters for the remainder of the season.

Prior to his professional career, the Etobicoke, Ontario native recorded 114 points (41G, 73A) in 195 career Ontario Hockey League (OHL) contests with the Soo Greyhounds from 2017-2022. Calisti led all defensemen in goals during the 2019-20 season with 18 goals and again in 2021-22 with 21 goals. He added a goal and five assists for six points in 10 career OHL playoff games and won an OHL Cup silver medal in 2017.

Calisti later launched his professional career with the Belleville Senators (AHL), marking the occasion by scoring his first professional point against the Laval Rocket with an assist. Following this, he spent the 2021-2022 season playing in the OHL for the Soo Greyhounds before making his return to the professional leagues in the ECHL.

2022-2023 Season

Calisti’s rookie season in the ECHL saw him split time between the Florida Everblades and the Kalamazoo Wings. He tallied 22 points (10G, 12A) in 42 games with the Everblades and added 10 points (2G, 8A) in 15 games with the Wings. In all, he registered 32 points (12G, 20A) in 57 games that season.

2023-2024 Season

Calisti continued to develop his game, playing for the Kalamazoo Wings and later with the Atlanta Gladiators. He accumulated 30 points (11G, 19A), 48 penalty minutes, and a -27 rating in 63 games. Specifically, he registered 12 points (4G, 8A) in 23 games with the Wings and 18 points (7G, 11A) in 40 games with the Gladiators.

2024-2025 Season

Calisti opened the 2024-2025 campaign, signing with the Jacksonville Icemen. He has recorded 12 points (3G, 9A), 21 penalty minutes, and a +1 rating in 33 games played so far this season.

In his professional career, spanning 154 games in total (153 in the ECHL and one in the AHL), Calisti has recorded 75 points, consisting of 26 goals and 49 assists. He has also accumulated 97 penalty minutes and holds a -18 rating. Specifically, in his 153 ECHL games, he has achieved 74 points (26G, 48A), along with 97 penalty minutes, and a -19 rating across his time with Florida, Kalamazoo, Atlanta, and Jacksonville.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Karen Zehner

Inside The Rink ECHL Manager | Senior Editor | Credentialed Beat Writer covering the ECHL Atlanta Gladiators. Diving into the world of slap shots, penalty kills, and the game we love. [@RunwithK] on socials.

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Jack Dugan Heads Overseas

Fort Wayne Komets captain Jack Dugan is heading overseas to Germany to join the Bietigheim Steelers of the DEL2. He spent his first five professional seasons in North America. In 70 games this season, Dugan had 23 goals and 53 assists for 76 points, while leading the Komets in all offensive categories. For the second […]

Read More

ECHL: Filip Fornaa Svensson Heads Home To Sweden

Forward Filip Fornaa Svensson is returning home to Sweden to join Vimmerby HC after spending just one year in the ECHL. In 51 games during the 2024-25 season with the Fort Wayne Komets and Norfolk Admirals, the 26-year-old put up 25 goals and 14 assists for 39 points. Fornaa Svennson was acquired by Norfolk from […]

Read More

ECHL: Rapid City Rush Announce That Scott Burt Won’t Return

The Rapid City Rush have announced that Coach and General Manager Scott Burt will not be returning for the 2025-26 season. Burt joined Rapid City for the 2021-22 ECHL season. He was able to help lead the team to a 36-25-6-5 record, earning the Rush their first playoff appearance since the 2014-15 season. Rapid City […]

Read More