Photo Credit: Our very own Samantha Wismer
There will be many questions facing this young Reading Royals team come the new season. Some questions range from how will they respond after a tough playoff series with the Newfoundland Growlers? Are the Royals more prepared to start the new season given the understanding with more experience of how the coaching staff wants them to play? These are some very valid questions that people have.
With that being said, there’s a flashy, lightning rod Center/Winger that has agreed to return for another season in Shane Sellar. St. Louis stands at 6’3 and weighs 201 pounds, and has all the skills to be a Lehigh Valley Phantom in the future, “Growing up I looked up to him (My Dad). He took the role of my teams. He kind of let me be myself, he never pressured me to play the sport. If I want to get better I had to take ownership of that,” Sellar stated in an interview with Jamey Baskow.
Sellar continued, “Doug Yingst was the first coach that told me I could go further in my hockey career.” Sometimes all a player needs is that extra push to make improvements into his/her game. Sellar did explain to me that he has a sour taste in his mouth from losing to Newfoundland again, “Those are going to be games we circle on our calendar,” Sellar said about facing Newfoundland in the new season. “We went into that playoff series knowing we had a chance. We let a few games get away from us. We want to get into that hurdle (Playoff success), and fight as a team.”
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This 26-year old, prospect knew the importance of just having fun, and letting the game come to him. Moreover, he worked very hard in the off-season, and was able to improve his game tremendously for what turned out to be a very good 2022-23 season for not only him, but for the Royals, as well, “I think part of it we had two new coaches. It took some adjusting and it’s time to see how we needed to play and be successful. Once we figured it out, we went on a bit of a roll,” Sellar added.
There is little doubt that Sellar agreed to re-sign, not only because he believes in the team, but there is familiarity with being a hometown young man (Carlisle, PA), “It was a bit nerve racking for playing for the hometown team. Not pressure, with family and all. It just gave me a shot to prove myself,” Sellar said.
The USNTDP product, St. Louis just wants to show people he belongs in the sport. If one has seen him play these past few seasons, then they would have noticed his silky hands, and overall solid speed. He knows he has to work on decision making, but what Sellar possesses is a high hockey IQ, to pair with his good passing abilities.
“If I want to get better I had to take ownership of that.” – Sellar stated in an interview with Jamey Baskow.
Hopefully, Sellar continues to mold himself into a fine hockey hockey player. His unselfish attitude cannot be taught, as Sellar appears to have a good head on his shoulders. The best is yet to come for Sellar and his family, but he is determined to be a leader for this young Royals team in 2023-24.
