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Philadelphia Flyers, Reading Royals Extend ECHL Affiliation Agreement

By Jacob Modugno

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 07: An official game puck rolls on the ice during the first period of a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center on March 07, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 07: An official game puck rolls on the ice during the first period of a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center on March 07, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia Flyers and the ECHL’s Reading Royals have agreed to extend their affiliation agreement through the 2021-22 season with an option to renew for the 2022-23 season as well, according to a release by the farm club.

The Royals have served as the Flyers’ ECHL affiliate since the 2014-15 season, giving the Flyers an all-Pennsylvanian organizational affiliation since that time, as the AHL’s Adirondack Phantoms relocated to Allentown and were renamed the Lehigh Valley Phantoms before that season as well.

Royals general manager David Farrar stated,

"“We are excited to continue the partnership between the Royals and Flyers into our 20th Anniversary Season. We look forward to developing more players for the Flyers while achieving the ultimate goal of winning the Kelly Cup for a second time.”"

The Royals originated in 1991 as the Columbus Chill, but suspended operations in 1999 to make room for an NHL franchise as the city was rewarded with the Blue Jackets. The franchise remained dormant for two years, but relocated to Berks County and resumed play as the Royals at Reading’s Santander Arena in 2001-02. They last hoisted the Kelly Cup as ECHL champions in 2013 while affiliated with the Washington Capitals, defeating the Stockton (now Adirondack) Thunder in five games.

Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said on the extension,

"“We are excited to extend our affiliation agreement with the Reading Royals. They will continue to be an integral part of our development system and we look forward to working together in the coming years.“"

Since they joined the Flyers organization in 2014, forward Tyrell Goulbourne and goaltender Anthony Stolarz remain the only two players to appear in regular season games with both Reading and Philadelphia during the affiliation.

The Royals did not play during the 2020-21 season as they opted out of the ECHL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will resume play this coming season and celebrate their 20th anniversary in Reading.

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