The Reading Royals of the ECHL announced that the organization has entered into an affiliation agreement with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League. Under the agreement, the Royals will serve as the ECHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs and the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. Under the affiliation arrangement, during the 2008-09 season, the Royals will receive players designated for assignment within Toronto’s professional developmental system.
“We are excited to enter into a new era of Royals’ hockey,” said Royals’ General Manager Gordon Kaye, “and to align our team with the Maple Leafs’ organization, which is so richly steeped in hockey history and success. Our organization certainly looks forward to the challenge of helping young players within the Toronto system advance their careers. But just as important for our team, we believe that this relationship will provide us with the best opportunity to give our fans what they want and deserve—an ECHL championship.”
“The Maple Leafs’ organization is pleased to join forces with the Royals,” said Jeff Jackson, the Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations of the Maple Leafs. “We are well aware of the success that the Royals have experienced in Reading, both on and off the ice, and we look forward to becoming an active participant in that success.
Toronto Maple Leafs - Press Releases: Leafs Team Up With ECHL's Reading Royals - 07/11/2008 
Leafs Team Up With ECHL's Reading Royals (Leafs) 
