Kings extend affiliation with ECHL's Reading Royals

Aug 8, 2007 - 11:19 PM READING, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Kings and Reading Royals will be together for a seventh consecutive season.

The Kings on Wednesday renewed their affiliation agreement with the ECHL club, which has had relations with Los Angeles since its inception in 2001.

Reading also renewed its association with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League.

"Our organization is very happy to extend our affiliate agreement with the Reading Royals," said Kings assistant general manager Ron Hextall, who also is the GM of the Monarchs. "Over the past six seasons, the Royals organization and the city of Reading have played key roles in the success of our franchise by giving our prospects a great place to play as they develop their skills and improve their games."

Among the players who found their way from Reading to Los Angeles last season was goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji, who became the first Japanese-born player to appear in an NHL game.

"From the very beginning of the Royals organization, our relationship with the Kings and Monarchs has been an important part of our hockey operations structure," Royals GM Gordon Kaye said. "Every year, our affiliation with Los Angeles and Manchester provides our fans with an opportunity to enjoy watching a number of highly motivated prospects who are dedicated to improving their games, advancing their careers and winning in Reading."