Reading Royals Review

December 5, 2009   Blogs, Reading Royals Review   No comments

TMLfans.ca guest columnist Barry Schickling returns with one of his regular updates on the Leafs prospects playing for the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

The Royals Review

(Nov. 16-29)

READING, Pa. – It’s probably a coincidence, but once six players under contract to the Maple Leafs or Marlies were assigned to the Reading Royals, the team made it into first place in the North Division of the ECHL. But as often happens in the world of AA hockey, those numbers didn’t last for long. By the beginning of December, the Royals were back to three Leafs/Marlies on the roster and down to second place (by a point) in the standings.

Here’s a look at what the Toronto-contracted players have been up to over the past two weeks (with season’s ECHL statistics).

Stefano Giliati – The LW had a hot October but a fairly chilly November. The former QMJHL All-Star only scored one goal in the last two weeks and ended the segment on seven-day I.R. He did take on Florida tough guy Brad Zanon in a fight and got an instigation minor to go along with it. (8G- 9A – +2 – 17 PIM)

Joey Ryan – Has struggled with coverage in the defending zone. The 22-year-old defenceman ended the segment with a very forgettable minus-5 in back-to-back games against Johnstown. (1G – 3A – -6 – 27 PIM)

Greg Scott – The Victoria, BC native who’s listed as a right wing was sent to the Royals by the Marlies for four games. During that time, while primarily playing centre, he scored his first pro goal. The 21-year-old was named the third star in that game for his efforts. (1G- 0A – -1 – 2 PIM) He was recalled by the Marlies on Dec. 1.

Robert Slaney – Like Scott, Slaney was shipped to Pennsylvania for four games in five days.. Playing almost exclusively with Scott as his centreman, the Upper Island Cove, NF native managed one assist (on Scott’s goal) in the four games. His speed is a fine asset but he still needs to pay attention to defence. (0G- 1A – -1 – 2 PIM) He was recalled by the Marlies on Dec. 1.

Eric Werner – Statistically speaking, the oldest of the Leafs/Marlies on the Royals (26) didn’t contribute much the last two weeks. Much of that was because he missed the final three games while on the three-day I.R. Reading could certainly use his talents back in the lineup, especially on the power play. (1G – 4A – +4 – 19 PIM)

Andrew Engelage – The first-year pro from Oshawa won his first game during the fortnight and pushed his personal streak to three, before losing a game with the Royals. When the Marlies’ James Reimer was injured, Engelage was recalled to Toronto for the second time this season. (3-1 – 3.44 GAA – .885 SV%)

One other note: With both the Leafs’ Vesa Toskala and Reimer out of action, and Engelage’s recall to the Marlies, G Beau Erickson, who played for the Marlies during their preseason tour in Scotland and spent some time on their roster in October, was re-signed to an ECHL contract. He had signed with Reading at the start of the season but was released by the Royals on Nov. 10.

Barry Schickling can be contacted at Barry.DoubleSMedia@rocketmail.com

Rob Del Mundo

Rob is an avid Leafs fan, and Leafs media member working for Stan Fischler Hockey Services. He is also the author of Blue And White Beat, and is a part-owner and a regular columnist at TMLfans.ca.

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