Photo Credit: The Reading Royals
What a day it was for Jason Binkley and his family. Binkley was tabbed as the new Reading Royals Head Coach and General Manager yesterday.
Binkley took over for former coach James Henry in January, and he posted a 13-16-3-1 record as the Royals Interim Head Coach during that short stint, “We are excited to formally bring Jason on board as the Royals’ next Head Coach and General Manager,” David Farrar, the Team President said yesterday. “We are confident that Jason will do an exceptional job as the leader of our hockey operations department, and we’re excited by the prospects of the next era of Royals hockey with Jason at the helm.”
“This is an exciting opportunity for myself and my career,” Binkley said at his formal introductory press conference. “This is the next step I was hoping to take, and I have to thank David Farrar and the City of Reading for trusting me with this opportunity. I want to thank our affiliates in Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia. I also want to thank the players and the fans. Everyone’s feedback has been nothing but positive as we look to build off the last few months of last season. Finally, I need to thank my wife Danielle and my son Wyatt for being alongside me for this journey, and being the great support system they are at home.”
Both Farrar and Binkley stated that there will be upgrades to the housing situation and team facilities, with the hopes of players becoming more tenured with the Royals. They took a big hit, roster player wise, with the Royals last offseason, where close to a quarter of roster players from 2022-23 went overseas to play the sport they love. Translation, they are trying to build a foundation, where the City of Reading is a melting pot and desirable location for hockey.
“The job doesn’t start today, it’s already started,” Binkley said after a question he received from media. Binkley said he’s been involved in recruitment, housing, and upgrading the facility to make Reading a more desirable location, as noted above.
What happens next is anyone’s guess, but Binkley is committed to winning and building player development, for success with the Phantoms and Flyers, “This is not a bad place to be, this is not a bad place to play,” Binkley said. “What we are going to be able to offer here is opportunity.”
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