Aug. 16—The Reading Royals and the Philadelphia Flyers announced a new agreement Monday that will keep Reading as a Flyers affiliate for this season and perhaps next season.
The Royals have been affiliated with Philadelphia since 2014. The new extension will include the 2021-22 season with an option to renew for the 2022-23 season.
“We are excited to continue the partnership between the Royals and Flyers into our 20th anniversary season,” said Royals general manager David Farrar in a statement. “We look forward to developing more players for the Flyers while achieving the ultimate goal of winning the Kelly Cup for a second time.”
Along with the Flyers, the Royals and Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL form the closest geographical affiliated group of teams in professional hockey.
The renewed agreement will mark the longest tenure the Royals have had as an NHL team’s affiliate. They formerly were affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals.
“We are excited to extend our affiliation agreement with the Reading Royals,” said Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher. “They will continue to be an integral part of our development system and we look forward to working together in the coming years.”