Washington Capitals, Hershey Bears Announce New ECHL Affiliate

Reading Royals coach, Larry Courville, speaks to the media (Photo by Kyle Mace)

The Hershey Bears will have a much easier time getting players from their ECHL affiliate this coming season. The Washington Capitals have agreed to an affiliation with the ECHL Reading Royals. After eight seasons with the South Carolina Stingrays, the Caps will shift their ECHL affilation to an arena and team just an hour from Hershey.

“It’s a great thing for our fans in Reading,” said Royals coach Larry Courville. “Hershey and Washington are first class organizations. I worked with George McPhee when I was a player with Vancouver and with Doug Yingst when I was a player in Hershey. We’re hoping this will make it a little easier on us with the travel being a little less than an hour getting players back and forth it makes sense. It was tough for us in years past with Toronto being an eight hour drive or a long flight. I think it’s going to be a great thing for all three organizations.”

“Hershey fans love winning teams. I think a lot of the Hershey fans will be willing to drive to come see their players in Reading.”

Courville played for the Hershey Bears during the 2001-02 season. The Reading coach was on the ice at the Washington Capitals developmental camp in Arlington, Virginia for Monday’s first session.