Reading, PA – The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, today announced the 2016-17 ‘Hometown Hockey’ Promotional Calendar of Game Night Events, Appearances and Special Giveaways.
The sixteenth season of Royals’ hockey promises no fewer than twenty separate giveaways, at least eleven games focused on raising funds and awareness for local charitable causes, five brand-new Flyers Fridays dedicated to the orange and black and Philly’s alumni organization, a completely upgraded in-game entertainment experience, and our continuing commitment to creating the best in family fun and entertainment in the Greater Reading-Region and Berks County area.
The celebration of ‘Hometown Hockey’ kicks off on Saturday, October 15, in the streets of our hometown with the Opening Night Block Party featuring the Pat McGee Band, who will hit the outdoor stage at the corner of Eighth and Penn Streets at 4 pm and continue straight into the pre-game activities, leading directly to the opening faceoff in the season opener between the Royals and the long-time rival Elmira Jackals at 7:00 pm. Fans will be treated to what promises to be the most exciting season-launching, pregame presentation in team history, and everyone will be encouraged to take the energy to the next level with “BOOM-BOOM” sticks that will be given out to all in attendance courtesy of Reading Health System.
This year’s schedule puts the Royals out on the road for a big chunk of the early going, so fans are not going to want to miss the only other home game in October, when the Manchester Monarchs visit Santander Arena on Friday, October 21. That night, the team will celebrate OKTOBERFEST!, which will include our special admission “Hops & Hockey” craft beer tasting event and a first-time-ever beer stein giveaway (first 2000 – 21 and older) courtesy of local craft brewers, DeWalt Brewing. That night, the Royals, who will be decked out in special spooky gear, will also get the jump on the Halloween season with special festive entertainment and a concourse trick-or-treat gauntlet and costume contest for both big and little kids.
The Royals third home game, on Saturday, November 12, against Manchester kicks off the team’s Community Series in earnest with our annual day honoring America’s veterans and active duty service personnel. Things will start up relatively early that day (2:00 pm) with our third-annual afternoon matchup between the Army and Navy club hockey teams, which this season will be televised nationally on ESPN3. In the Royals’ game later that night, fans will be able to waive rally towels which will be given out upon entrance to the game thanks to Classic Harley Davidson, while the team will wear special Veterans-themed jerseys which will be auctioned after the game.
From that point forward, at least once every month over the course of the regular season, we’ll get a chance to help out our Hometown and the people who live here as part of our Community Series, which features the Night of Hope (November 26), the Teddy Bear Toss (December 10), the Penn State University THON Celebration (January 21), Special Olympics Night (February 11), Pink in the Rink (February 18), Autism Awareness Night (March 4), and Scout Night (March 25).
This season’s Night of Hope is an expanded variation of last year’s Shelter Night, as the Royals have partnered with the Hope Rescue Mission in an effort to sponsor ten men at the Mission for an entire year. A post-game specialty jersey auction—which will honor the epic rock band KISS—will certainly help in that regard, and the orange hunting “trapper” hat giveaway—which is courtesy of our good friends at Deibler Dental—ought to help the hunters in the family on their seasonal trek into the woods.
In the next Community Series game, our Teddy Bear Toss night (December 10), we’re going to seek Stuff the Train with teddy bears and other stuffed animals when the team scores its first goal and the “Royal Railroad” rumbles out onto the ice. The Royals will seek to continue a long-running history of success in raising funds for the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, Penn State University’s THON Four Diamonds Fund (January 21) when the team will don another version of the PSU blue-and-white specialty jersey to be auctioned after the game, while fans will be able to deck out their “Ugly Christmas” ensemble with the third in our “Ugly” series this year—the “Ugly Scarf”.
February will offer a pair of games in our Community Series including our first ever “Special Olympics” game (February 11), which will feature an exhibition of sled hockey, while we give away one of four bobble-heads intended to honor some the most important players in team history, including on this night, Yannick Tifu. One week later, we’ll get to don our favorite (and some might say most successful) color when the Royals celebrate the team’s Tenth Anniversary version Pink in the Rink (February 18). That night, women fifteen years of age and older will get in a one-of-kind pink hat, while the ice at Santander Arena night will have a certain shade of pink and the real-men of the Royals will wear their pink jerseys which will be auctioned after the game to raise money for the on-going effort against breast cancer.
March will also have two games in the Community Series, including our third annual Autism Awareness game (March 4), when the team will once again partner with the Autism Society of Berks County and Unending Promise. That night, fans will receive the fourth in the bobble-head series—this one for “Captain Clutch” Ryan Cruthers who will join our inductees in the Royals Wall of Honor in what should be an emotional pre-game ceremony. Our final Community Series game will serve as our annual Scout Night Sleepover (March 25), when the boys and girls scouts in our community will take over Santander Arena for a night—and all of fans will receive the Season Sixteen version of the player trading cards presented by Rieck’s Printing.
Although not officially part of our Community Series, the Royals have a number of other games scheduled this year that will serve to benefit great community causes including our Pucks N’Paws (December 28) when speed skating great Allison Baver will head up the “Off the Ice” Fundraising effort and the Royals will give away the first in our bobble-head greats series (championship goaltender Riley Gill). Early in the New Year, we’ll celebrate Purple Goes Green Night (January 7), which will focus upon following environmentally-sound strategies for our planet, as well as encouraging health and wellness components for our fans.
With all of the good that Royals’ fans are doing for others, we think it’s only fair if we return the favor a bit and pamper our most important assets—our fans—as well. And there is no more important asset than the women in our lives, and we’ll dedicate an entire night of pampering for them in our Pucks & Pampering Night (January 20), when we’ll also celebrate the birthday of everyone’s “special lady friend” Tiara. The ladies ought to be in a pretty comfortable mood that night since the concourse will be packed with activities designed to meet your every pampering need, including massages, manicures, make-up and much more! Just a week later, Santander Arena will take on a more rugged motif for our Great Outdoor Night. (January 28), when fans in attendance will stay nice and warm and cozy with our brand new fleece blanket giveaway courtesy of Diamond Credit Union.
That’s just one of many great giveaways this year for Royals fans including the “Ugly” ensemble courtesy of FirstEnergy: (i) the socks (November 27); (ii) the hat (December 23); and (iii) the scarf (January 21). Another giveaway series is our great players in team history bobble-head set presented by Reading Health System, which features (i) Riley Gill (December 28); (ii) Olivier Labelle (January 16); (iii) Yannick Tifu (February 11); and (iv) our pending Wall of Honor inductee Ryan Cruthers (March 4). Another extremely unique giveaway series is our three-part “Locker-Room” set, which is for kids 14 and younger, and will be given out in succession on January 29 (which is Mascot Mania Night courtesy of BARTA), February 26 (Faith and Family Night courtesy of PA Leadership Charter School): and March 5 (our twelfth annual Battle of the Badges Game presented by FirstStates Financial Services and the giveaway courtesy of Bethany Children’s Home.
One more series that deserves special note is our brand new Flyers Fridays which will be spread over a series of five Friday nights from late December through March (December 30, January 6, January 20, March 3, and March 24) and will serve to continue building the affiliation relationship between the Royals and Flyers, as well as give us an opportunity to honor—and meet—some of the historic greats of the Flyers’ Alumni. For each of the five Flyers Friday games, the Royals will wear a different specialty jersey paying homage to the five decades in the affiliate’s fifty years in Philadelphia. The inaugural Flyers Friday (December 30) will also include a limited edition giveaway of a cover-wrapped canvas image honoring those Philadelphia legends courtesy of Reading Health System.
The Royals Road Warriors are going to return to action this year as fans will be able to pack up for a day-trip to Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday, March 18, when the Royals will take on the Norfolk Admirals at The Scope Arena in a green-ice St. Patrick’s Day special. More information on the Road Warriors’ “Admiral Adventure” will be forthcoming in the near future.
Please note that the 2016-17 Reading Royals’ Promotional Calendar is regularly evolving with new events, giveaways, and appearances. Please check regularly for updates, changes and revisions, as all promotions, dates and giveaways are subject to change.
2016-17 READING ROYALS CALENDAR OF
GAME NIGHT PROMOTIONAL EVENTS, APPEARANCES and SPECIAL GIVEAWAYS
(Limited Availability Giveaways In Parentheses) (All Events and Giveaways are Subject to Change)
Saturday, October 15, 2016 (v Elmira Jackals): Opening Night with FREE Pre-Game Block Party on Penn Street featuring the Pat McGee Band; Boom-Boom Stick giveaway (5000) courtesy of Reading Health System.
Friday, October 21, 2016 (v Wheeling Nailers): OKTOBERFEST! German Heritage Night and Halloween Celebration; Hops & Hockey Beer Stein giveaway (2000 – 21 and older) presented by DeWalt Brewing Company; Halloween-themed Specialty Jersey to be worn by the team (Lion’s Den Merchandise Store On-Line Auction).
Saturday, November 12, 2016 (v Manchester Monarchs): Veterans Recognition Night presented by UGI Utilities; Third Annual Afternoon Army / Navy Game @ 2:00 pm; (One Ticket Gains Admission to Army-Navy and Royals’ Games); Rally Towel (2,000) giveaway at Royals’ game courtesy of Classic Harley Davidson; Veterans Themed Specialty Jersey to be worn by team to benefit local Veterans causes.
Sunday, November 13, 2016 (v Atlanta Gladiators)
Saturday, November 26, 2016 (v Cincinnati Cyclones): Night of Hope and “Bromance” Night; Orange Hunting “Trapper” Hat giveaway (2500) courtesy of Deibler Dental; KISS-themed Specialty Jersey to be worn by team to benefit Hope Rescue Mission.
Sunday, November 27, 2016 (v Cincinnati Cyclones): “Ugly Christmas” Socks giveaway (2,500) courtesy of FirstEnergy.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016 (v Wheeling Nailers)
Friday, December 9, 2016 (v Indy Fuel): Jack Gulati ‘R-U Happy?’ Night; FANdemonia-Style giveaways for fans at stoppages in play.
Saturday, December 10, 2016 (v Indy Fuel): Teddy Bear Toss to “Stuff the Train.”
Wednesday, December 21, 2016 (v Manchester Monarchs)
Friday, December 23, 2016 (v Adirondack Thunder): Christmas Game; “Ugly Christmas” Hat giveaway (2500) courtesy of FirstEnergy; Holiday-Themed Specialty Jerseys to be worn by team (Lion’s Den Merchandise Store On-Line Auction).
Wednesday, December 28, 2016 (v Elmira Jackals): Pucks N’Paws; Allison Baver “Off the Ice” Fundraiser Riley Gill Bobble Head giveaway (2500) presented by Reading Health System.
Friday, December 30, 2016 (v Wheeling Nailers): Flyers Friday and New Year’s Eve Celebration; Limited Edition Flyers Cover-Wrapped Canvas Image giveaway (3500) courtesy of Reading Health System; “Five Decades of the Flyers” Specialty Jersey to be worn by the team (Lion’s Den Merchandise Store On-Line Auction).
Friday, January 6, 2017 (v Adirondack Thunder): Flyers Friday; “Five Decades of the Flyers” Specialty Jersey to be worn by the team (Lion’s Den Merchandise Store On-Line Auction).
Saturday, January 7, 2017 (v Adirondack Thunder): “Purple Goes Green” Agriculture Night.
Monday, January 16, 2017 (v Elmira Jackals): Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Matinee; Olivier Labelle Bobble Head giveaway (2500) courtesy of Reading Health System.
Friday, January 20, 2017 (v Adirondack Thunder): Flyers Friday; Pucks & Pampering Night; Tiara’s Birthday Celebration; Concourse Pampering for Ladies (Massage, Manicure, Make-Up and More…); “Five Decades of the Flyers” Specialty Jersey to be worn by the team (Lion’s Den Merchandise Store On-Line Auction).
Saturday, January 21, 2017 (v Wheeling Nailers): Penn State University THON Night; “Ugly Christmas” Scarf giveaway (2500) courtesy FirstEnergy; PSU-Themed Specialty Jersey to be worn by the team to benefit “THON” and efforts to eradicate child-hood cancer.
Saturday, January 28, 2017 (v Fort Wayne Komets): Outdoor Night; Fleece Blanket giveaway (2500 – adults 15 and older) courtesy of Diamond Credit Union.
Sunday, January 29, 2017 (v Manchester Monarchs): Mascot Mania Celebrating Slapshot’s Birthday; Kids Mini-Locker Room (Number One) giveaway (1000 – 14 & Older) courtesy of BARTA.
Thursday, February 9, 2017 (v South Carolina Stingrays): Thirsty-Thursday.
Saturday, February 11, 2017 (v Norfolk Admirals): Special Olympics and All-Abilities Night; Sled Hockey Exhibition; Yannick Tifu Bobble Head giveaway (2500) courtesy of Reading Health System.
Sunday, February 12, 2017 (v Norfolk Admirals): Please note Late Start (@ 7:00 pm),
Saturday, February 18, 2017 (v Elmira Jackals): Pink in the Rink; Pink Hat giveaway (1500 – women 15 & older); Pink-themed Specialty Jersey to be worn by the team to benefit local efforts to treat and eradicate breast cancer.
Sunday, February 19, 2017 (v Elmira Jackals): Please Note Early Start (@ 4:00 pm).
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 (v Greenville Swamp Rabbits)
Sunday, February 26, 2017 (v Greenville Swamp Rabbits): Faith and Family Night; Kids Mini-Locker Room (Number Two) giveaway (1000 – 14 & Older) courtesy of PA Leadership Charter School.
Friday, March 3, 2017 (v Manchester Monarchs): Flyers Friday; Youth Sports Night presented by BIG VISION Foundation; ; “Five Decades of the Flyers” Specialty Jersey to be worn by the team (Lion’s Den Merchandise Store On-Line Auction).
Saturday, March 4, 2017 (v Manchester Monarchs): Autism Awareness and Wall of Honor Night; Ryan Cruthers Bobble Head giveaway (2500) courtesy of Reading Health System; Ryan Cruthers to be inducted into Royals Wall of Honor in Pre-Game Ceremony; Specialty Jersey to be worn by the team to benefit local autism awareness causes.
Sunday, March 5, 2017 (v Norfolk Admirals): Battle of the Badges; Afternoon Game – Reading Police Department v Reading Fire Department Hockey Game (12:30 pm) (One Ticket Gains Admission to Battle of the Badges and Royals’ Game); Kids Mini-Locker Room (Number Three) giveaway (1000 – kids 14 and younger courtesy of Bethany Children’s Home.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017 (v Norfolk Admirals)
Saturday, March 18, 2017 (@ Norfolk Admirals) – ROAD GAME….Royals Road Warriors “Admiral Adventure” day-trip to Norfolk, Virginia (buses expected to leave at 8:00 am) for St. Patrick’s Day Game on green ice.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 (v Manchester Monarchs)
Friday, March 24, 2017 (v Adirondack Thunder): Flyers Friday; ; “Five Decades of the Flyers” Specialty Jersey to be worn by the team (Lion’s Den Merchandise Store On-Line Auction).
Saturday, March 25, 2017 (v Adirondack Thunder): Scout Night Sleepover; Player Trading Card Set giveaway (2500) courtesy of Rieck’s Printing.
Friday, March 31, 2017 (v Norfolk Admirals)
Saturday, April 1, 2017 (v Brampton Beast): FANdemonium; Team Poster giveaway (2500) courtesy of Rieck’s Printing.
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