Royals Sign Former Vernon Viper Santana:

The 2013 Kelly Cup Champion East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Reading Royals have signed former Vernon Vipers forward Ryan Santana.  Santana finished his fourth and final year at Boston University.  Santana played one season in Vernon (2008-2009) In 56 games with the Vipers Santana collected (12-13-25).

Ryan Santana's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=38021

This is posted on the Royals website:

Royals Sign Forwards Marc Zanette and Ryan Santana

Zanette Put Up Career Numbers in Senior Season at Niagara—Santana Also Notched Career Best at Boston University

August 6, 2013

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, today announced that the organization has agreed to terms with forwards Marc Zanette and Ryan Santana. The addition of these two first year forwards brings the total number of players announced as signed by the Royals for the 2013-14 season to eleven. Zanette and Santana join Julien Cayer (f), Ethan Cox (f), Nikita Kashirsky (f), David Marshall (f), Bryant Molle (d), Ian O’Connor (f), Bobby Shea (d), Yannick Tifu (f), and Brad Walch (d).

Last year, Zanette (6’1/195) (22), who hails from Nobleton, Ontario, completed his four-year collegiate career at Niagara University with a career high twenty-eight points (10g-18a) and twenty-four penalty minutes in thirty-eight games for the Purple Eagles, who won the Atlantic Hockey Association regular season title and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament. At the conclusion of the season, Zanette, who was a twice honored as an AHA All-Academic selection, received the AHA Defensive Forward of the Year award. Zanette, who led the Purple Eagles with 111 shots on goal last year, also received the team’s Spirit Award from the school’s coaching staff. In 142 career collegiate games, Zanette recorded seventy-seven points (32g-45a) and 118 penalty minutes at Niagara.

Santana (6’1/195) (24), who is from Yorba Linda, California, recorded a career-high twelve points (2g-10a) and eight penalty minutes in thirty-nine games in his senior season at Boston University last year. Santana, who was recognized as a Hockey East Top Performer on January 7, 2013, was a member of the 2011-12 Terrier team that earned a berth in the NCAA tournament. In 122 career collegiate games, Santana registered twenty-three points (6g-17a) and thirty-four penalty minutes.

Season Tickets for the 2013-14 Reading Royals ECHL season are currently available. Call 610-898-7825 for more information or log onto www.royalshockey.com.