Binkley becomes the ninth coach in the 23-year team history of the Royals

The ECHL's Reading Royals have named Jason Binkley the new head coach and general manager, the team announced on Friday. Binkley, 31, served as the team's interim head coach after former head coach and director of hockey operations James Henry was relieved of his duties at the end of January.

“We’re excited to formally bring Jason on board as the Royals’ next Head Coach and General Manager," Team President David Farrar stated in a release. "We’re confident that Jason will do an exceptional job as the leader of our hockey operations department, and we’re excited by the prospects of the next era of Royals hockey with Jason at the helm.”

"This is an exciting opportunity for myself and my career," Binkley stated. "This is the next step I was hoping to take and I have to thank David Farrar and the city of Reading for trusting me with this opportunity. I want to thank our affiliates in Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia. I also want to thank the players and the fans. Everyone’s feedback has been nothing but positive as we look to build off the last few months of last season. Finally, I need to thank my wife Danielle and my son Wyatt for being alongside me for this journey and being the great support system they are at home."

Binkley becomes the ninth coach in the 23-year team history of the Royals after joining the organization prior to the 2022–23 season as an assistant coach. Before the Royals, the Powell, Ohio, native kick-started his coaching career with the SPHL's Fayetteville Marksmen, where he helped guide the team to a 40-14 record in the 2021–2022 regular season.

As a player, the defenseman was a standout at Ferris State University, where he amassed eight goals and 68 points in four seasons on campus. Following his senior season, Binkley joined the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays. He also played with the Utah Grizzlies, Cincinnati Cyclones, Fort Wayne Komets, and Jacksonville Icemen before retiring following the 2020–21 season.