The PHPA’s ECHL membership has ratified a new, five-year collective bargaining agreement with the ECHL. The new agreement will run through the 2029-30 season, which spells good news for the Reading Royals, a proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers.

A tentative agreement was reached on December 27, 2025, ending a brief two-day player strike that began on December 26 and led to the postponement of 28 games. The deal has been ratified by the PHPA’s ECHL player membership and approval by the ECHL Board of Governors. Players have been reporting back to teams in good faith, preparing to resume play pending final approval.

An official announcement of completed ratification has been made as of the latest available information. Details of the new CBA terms have not been publicly released yet, with more expected once ratification is finalized. The previous CBA expired in June 2025, and negotiations addressed issues like player compensation, health benefits, travel, and scheduling. The league’s site and recent news confirm the tentative status, with games resuming in anticipation of swift approval.

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The Reading Royals, ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, are about one month into their 2025-26 regular season (which runs October 2025–April 2026). As of November 25, 2025, the Royals sit in 4th place within the Eastern Conference with a total of 20 points. They are 9-4-2, with Carson Golder leading the way with 16 points (7g,9a) in 15 games played.

However, the team has played roughly 10-15 games based on their schedule. They opened on the road against the Trois-Rivières Lions on October 17 and have a demanding slate with 67 of 72 games against North Division foes.Early Season Snapshot:

• Schedule Focus: Heavy divisional play vs. teams like Wheeling Nailers (15 games), Norfolk Admirals (10), and Worcester Railers (10). Non-division trips include Florida Everblades (Dec. 27-29) and hosting Greenville Swamp Rabbits (Feb. 27-28).
• Historical Context: The Royals are 9-11-3-0 all-time in openers and have a strong playoff history (e.g., 2013 Kelly Cup champions). They’re known as “Goaltender U” for developing NHL netminders like Jonathan Quick.
• Youth Success: While the pro team ramps up, the Reading Jr. Royals youth program is off to a hot start with an 8-1 combined record in November league play. The Squirt A National (15-0-0) and PeeWee A American (14-0-0) teams are undefeated, combining for 29-0.

This is a new Royals team, featured with new Coach and General Manager Anthony Peters. They just keep chugging away, and are trying to keep their proud purple faithful happy.

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The Reading Royals, an ECHL affiliate of the Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, have announced several player signings and extensions for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Here are the key roster additions:

Forwards:

• Patrick Moynihan: Signed for the 2025-26 season. The 24-year-old forward had 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 66 games during his rookie season with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Idaho Steelheads in 2024-25. He was a sixth-round pick by the New Jersey Devils in 2019.
• Jérémy Michel: Signed for the 2025-26 season. The 25-year-old forward recorded 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in the 2024-25 season with the University of Moncton (U Sports) and had a notable junior career in the QMJHL with 216 points over 294 games.
• Kyle Haskins: Signed for the 2025-26 season. The 25-year-old forward played 13 games in 2024-25 between Orlando and Greenville, tallying 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists). He previously played at Canisius University and in the USHL.
• Jacob Frasca: Joined from the Toronto Marlies (AHL). Specific stats from his prior season are not detailed in the sources, but his signing was confirmed on July 29, 2025.
• Jordan Frasca: Joined from the Nashville Predators organization. Like Jacob, his signing was confirmed on July 29, 2025, with no specific prior season stats provided in the sources.
• Connor McMenamin: Signed an extension for the 2025-26 season.

Defensemen:

Nick Carabin: Signed an extension for the 2025-26 season.

Departures:

• Robert Calisti: Left the Royals for Asiago (Italian league) on July 30, 2025.
• Jason Binkley: Parted ways with the team as Head Coach and General Manager on May 27, 2025. Anthony Peters is now the Head Coach and General Manager.

New Head Coach:

The new head coach of the Reading Royals for the 2025-26 season is Anthony Peters, who also serves as the team’s General Manager. He was appointed on June 19, 2025, becoming the 10th head coach in the franchise’s 24-season history. Peters, a 34-year-old from Blyth, Ontario, previously served as an assistant coach for the Florida Everblades, contributing to their third consecutive Kelly Cup championship in 2024 and a fourth-straight Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2025. He replaces Jason Binkley, who re-signed as Head Coach and General Manager on May 27, 2025.

Protected List:

• The Royals announced a 2025 Protected List on May 26, 2025, retaining rights to 22 players, including 11 forwards (e.g., Cameron Cook, Mitchel Deelstra, Zach Faremouth, Ryan Leibold, Austin Master, Connor McMenamin, Yvan Mongo, Joseph Nardi, Noah Prokop, Shane Sellar, Jake Smith) and 10 defensemen (listed above). Eighteen of these players appeared in at least one game for the Royals in 2024-25.

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The Reading Royals, an ECHL team affiliated with the Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, have undergone several notable changes for the 2025-26 season:

• Coaching Change: Jason Binkley was fired from his position as Head Coach and General Manager on May 27, 2025. Anthony Peters has been appointed as the new Head Coach and General Manager, marking his first year in this role.
• Roster Updates: Several player transactions have been confirmed:
  • Additions: Nick Carabin (D) from the University of Connecticut, Andrew Kurapov (F) from Endicott College, Patrick Bajkov (F) from Bloomington Bison, Zach Faremouth (F) from Ferris State University, Nicholas Cafarelli (F) from RIT, and Mitchel Deelstra (F) from Robert Morris University.
  • Departures: Brock Caufield (F) to Cincinnati Cyclones and Mackenzie Dwyer (D) to Savannah Ghost Pirates.
  • Re-signing: Connor McMenamin has been re-signed for the 2025-26 season.
  • The initial 2024-25 training camp roster included 19 players, with five returning players from the 2023-24 season: Parker Gahagen, Tony Malinowski, Kenny Johnson, Shane Sellar, and Tyler Gratton.
• Staff Changes: Pat Noecker was added as Director of Merchandise, and Erik Jesberger was promoted to Director of Communications & Broadcasting.
• Promotional Schedule: The Royals announced their 2024-25 promotional schedule, featuring 36 home games with events like Teddy Bear Toss, Pucks and Paws, Pink in the Rink, and new themes such as Christmas with the Peanuts and Pretzel City Royals Night.
• Preseason Game: The Royals will host the Adirondack Thunder for their only preseason game on October 10, 2025, at Santander Arena, with a suggested $5 donation to Slapshot Charities for admission.
• Home Opener: The 2025-26 season home opener is scheduled for November 8, 2025, against the Trois-Rivières Lions at Santander Arena.

These changes reflect a significant transition for the Royals as they prepare for the upcoming season under new leadership and with a refreshed roster.

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Former Head Coach of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, in Ian Laperrière was the Head Coach from 2021 to 2025.

During his tenure with the Phantoms, he achieved 100 regular-season wins and helped develop prospects like Tyson Foerster and Cam York. In May 2025, the Flyers and Laperrière mutually parted ways as Phantoms Head Coach, and today he has rejoined the organization as an advisor to Hockey Operations.

“I want to thank Ian for his tireless work in Lehigh Valley for the last four seasons,” said Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere. “He not only led the Phantoms in a return to the playoffs, but provided crucial development to several of our prospects. I am excited to welcome him back to the Flyers so he can continue to provide his insight in helping our team as we enter the next phase of the rebuild.”

The Phantoms will now begin their search for a new Head Coach.

The Reading Royals

On May 27, 2025, the Royals announced that Binkley was relieved of his duties as Head Coach and General Manager. The team initiated an immediate search for a new Head Coach. The decision followed a season where the Royals made the playoffs but underperformed expectations, with Binkley noting in earlier statements that the 2023–24 season’s poor performance had negatively affected players, fans, and the city.

Under Binkley, the Royals improved from their 2023–24 playoff miss to a 2024–25 playoff berth, but their early exit might have contributed to his departure. The team’s affiliation with the Flyers was extended through 2026–27, signaling continued emphasis on development, while the Head Coaching search begins immediately.

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The Flyers have extended their affiliation with the Reading Royals for another two years today, “We are very happy to extend this affiliation with Reading,” Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere said today. “The Royals are a first-class organization and I’ve seen how beneficial this relationship is to the development of players on both the Phantoms and the Flyers, especially this season with Jacob Gaucher making his NHL debut and playing a pivotal role in Lehigh Valley.”

This comes as no shock, especially after Jacob Gaucher made his NHL Debut for the Flyers this past season. Gaucher formerly played for the Royals, as well as, Felix Sandström, Tyrell Goulbourne, Max Willman, and Hayden Hodgson.

“We’re excited to continue our affiliation agreement with the Flyers and Phantoms for the foreseeable future,” Team President David Farrar said. “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 affiliation relationship with the Flyers and Phantoms has been a great asset to our players and team,” Head Coach Jason Binkley said. “We look forward to developing more players with the Flyers while achieving the ultimate goal of bringing the Kelly Cup back to Reading.”

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The Reading Royals’ 2024-25 Kelly Cup Playoff run ended abruptly on April 23, 2025, after being swept by the Trois-Rivières Lions. In the decisive game at Santander Arena, the Royals fell 5-2, concluding their postseason campaign. As an affiliate of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Philadelphia Flyers, the Royals struggled to match the Lions’ intensity throughout the series.

Shane Sellar’s game-tying goal at 2:00 in the second period gave the Royals hope, but Vincent Sevigny’s go-ahead goal at 15:22 in the third period proved decisive for the Lions. Nicolas Guay and Logan Nijhoff sealed the 5-2 victory with empty-net goals late in the third, ending the Royals’ Kelly Cup Playoff run on April 23, 2025, at Santander Arena.

This video below is Royals Head Coach Jason Binkley:

The Royals appreciate all the fans support, and here below is a message from the Royals on season tickets/ten game plans for next season:

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2025-26 Season Memberships

Royals365 Season Memberships, six-game plans, ten-game plans, and group tickets are available for the 2025-26 season now by visiting the Royals’ box office at Santander Arena or by calling 610-898-7825.

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Matvei Michkov has adjusted to the Flyers better than anybody could have expected. Of course, he is still adapting to North America and their culture, but he is adapted well on ice.

Michkov has done it, he’s done it. He is now part of the 60 point club (24g,36a). What a rookie season it has been for the young upcoming Superstar, and it’s a rare one.

A young 20-year-old in Michkov has become the ninth rookie in Flyers history to register 60+ points in a season. The last was Mikael Renberg in 1993-94 (82 Points).

The patience with Michkov has paud off, and it’s really fueling his overall success on the ice. Michkov doesn’t have to be afraid to make a mistake, It’s just easier to adapt to the game knowing this. Is there stuff to work on? Sure, there always is, and Michkov will continue to work on his craft. But, it’s just nice knowing that he doesn’t have to play mistake free hockey, especially since he’s trying to make a play, more often than not.

Now let’s see if he can get to be part of the 25 goal club.

Alex Bump

Alex Bump is a damn good hockey player. He was all over the ice once again, in the National Championship game. Bump and Western Michigan University won the National Championship game over Boston University 6-2.

Bump will sign his ELC with the Flyers Monday I believe.

Devin Kaplan, a Flyers Prospect, from Boston University registered an assist in the loss.

Denver Barkey

Denver Barkey, I mean what more can one say!!!! He is the second leading scorer in the OHL Playoffs in just six games played.

Just another clutch game with 1g,3a in a Playoff game against the Erie Otters. He now has 19 points in six games played in the OHL Playoffs.

He’s now averaging 3.16 Points Per Game. These are rare, but very good numbers for the young Flyers Prospect.

The Reading Royals

The Royals did it, they did it. They are going to the playoffs. Jason Binkley in his first full season for the Royals has guided the team to a Kelly Cup Playoff berth.

Yvan Mongo came back from injury, and it sparked the club. He missed most of the season, 57 games to be exact with an injury. His return fueled the Royals, who seemed to be down in the dumps before his arrival to the club.

Binkley is a good coach, and he held his team together through it all. This Royals team has become a special bunch.

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The Reading Royals, Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Philadelphia Flyers affiliates, have been a bit of a roller coaster all season long. They remain in the thick of a playoff race after going 5-4-1 in their last 10, to include a 4-3 massive victory over the Worcester Railers in a shootout.

With the Royals big victory last night. They sit just one point out of the last playoff position. The Royals have 74 points, while the Railers have 75.

Matt Miller, Shane Sellar, and Mason Primeau all scored goals to eventually send the game to a shootout. Believe it or not, the Royals lead 3-0 after one.

They really need to start putting together some wins to stay afloat in the division, and it all comes down to tonight. Yes, it is a new system, sort of speak, with Jason Binkley at the helm, but the team will offer no excuses, even when they had injury after injury.

Hopefully, the Royals can win in regulation tonight, to propel this team into the playoffs.

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The Reading Royals, the Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms affiliates, happened to have their three game winning streak come to a halt, following a 5-3 loss to the Trois-Rivières Lions on Friday night. Fortunately, they were able to get a big 2-1 victory over the Lions on the next night (Saturday).

Believe it or not, the Royals only sit two points out of playoff spot, with a 26-23-10 record which is good enough for 62 points in 59 games played. The Worcester Railers currently sit in the fourth seed with 64 points in the North Division, but have played two more games than the Royals.

Maybe the Royals are sensing a trip to the Kelly Cup Playoffs, and will do anything to obtain such. Patrick Sharp and Riley Armstrong were on hand at Royals practice yesterday, teaching the youth of the team.

They really need to start putting together some wins to stay afloat in the conference. Yes, it is a new system, sort of speak, with Jason Binkley at the helm, but the team will offer no excuse. They have just been an up and down hockey team, while winning one and losing one for the majority of the season.

Hopefully, the Royals can start mustering a four, five, or six game winning streak soon, and overtake that fourth seed in the North Division. Remember the top four teams in each division make the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

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