The affiliation agreement runs through the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons and includes an option for a third season.
"We've had an excellent relationship with the Royals for the last eight years and are thrilled to continue that partnership," said Fletcher. "We have put a big emphasis on the development of our young prospects and our club has seen the difference firsthand how beneficial it is to have not just one, but both of our primary minor league affiliates just a few hours away."
"We're excited to continue our affiliation agreement with the Flyers and Phantoms for the foreseeable future," said Royals' General Manager David Farrar. "Since the Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA) took over ownership of the Royals, we feel the relationship has been valuable to all parties involved. We're all excited for the upcoming season and look forward to watching future Flyers take the ice at the Santander Arena."
The 2022-23 season marks the ninth straight year the Flyers have been associated with Reading as their top ECHL affiliate with their inaugural partnership beginning in June of 2014. Under the affiliation agreement, the Royals will receive players designated for assignment from the Flyers and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
The three teams continue to own the closest affiliation chain in professional hockey, with Reading's Santander Arena located 39 miles southwest of Lehigh Valley's PPL Center and 67 miles northwest of Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center. Meanwhile, the Phantoms play 70 miles north of Wells Fargo Center.
Over parts of eight previous seasons, there have been 51 players who have played for the Royals and have been recalled to Lehigh Valley or the Flyers and played at least one game. Five total players have skated in at least one regular season game for the Flyers, including three players during the 2021-22 season (Hayden Hodgson, Felix Sandstrom, Max Willman).
The Royals are entering their 21st ECHL season and are proudly affiliated with the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The Royals won the Kelly Cup in 2013, have made the playoffs 14 times, including five out of six eligible seasons that were not affected by COVID-19 that they have been affiliated with the Flyers. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals and oversees operations at Santander Arena and the Santander Arena Performing Arts Center.
