READING, Pa – For hockey fans who are in the Reading, Pennsylvania area hoping that an American Hockey League (AHL) franchise to show up at it’s doorstep in the near future, they will have to wait a little longer. PHN has learned over the weekend that the Reading Royals have renewed their affiliation with the ECHL for the next three seasons. A standard affiliation with the league is a three year term, thus ending any rumors that the Philadelphia Phantoms will be coming to Reading in the fall. The Phantoms continue to look for a new home since the Wachovia Spectrum will be torn down at year’s end. The new Phantoms ownership group signed an agreement with the city of Glens Falls, New York to play there next season; but it is not set in stone yet wheather or not they will officially move there. The major concern is season ticket sales. According to published reports, the Phantoms new ownership group, know as The Brooks Group, wanted a commitment of 2,500 season tickets by the end of the month in order to seal the deal. However, the number that is being reported to have been sold is just under half the required amount. The Adirondack Red Wings (AHL) played 21 seasons at the Glens Falls Civic Center before leaving the city in 1999. The Civic Center has been without professional hockey since the Adirondack Frostbite played in the United Hockey League (UHL) and ceased operations at the end of the 2005-06 season. The Brooks group have set a deadline for Tuesday to make a final decision. Ultimately Royals fans, and hockey fans in general the city of Reading, should take heart however since Royals sources told PHN that Reading was being considered to have been on the Phantoms radar. You can bet, if the Phantoms noticed Reading as a viable option, some other AHL franchises took notice as well. Also, the Royals have not yet made an affiliation agreement with an NHL franchise for next season. Last season the Royals were affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the team is still owned by AIG/SMG, who also own the Los Angeles Kings, Manchester Monarchs, and the Ontario Reign, who just completed their first full season in the ECHL this year. The ECHL currently does not have an issue with one ownership group have a majority stake in more than one ECHL franchise. Considering the losses of some key franchises in recent years, the league is looking more and more at franchise stability these days, therefore, the Royals ownership group will continue to be the same until otherwise noted. Contact the author at Brian.jennings@prohockeynews.com
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