The Reading Royals [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/royals-name-former-everblades-assistant-as-new-head-coach-and-gm]have added to their coaching staff, announcing that Bruce Coles has joined the team as an assistant coach. Coles, a LaSalle, QC-native and the 25th assistant coach in Reading’s 24-season history, joins fellow assistant coach Wes Wolfe under first-year head coach and general manager Anthony Peters. "Bruce had a great career as a player, he will bring a ton of experience and knowledge to share with our players," Peters stated. "He is upbeat, positive and will drive energy throughout our group. He is a great addition to our staff.” A 23rd overall selection by the Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens]in the 1990 NHL Supplemental Draft, Coles brings nine seasons and 453 games of professional playing experience to Reading with stints in the American Hockey League [https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/](1992-93, 1994-98), where he helped the Philadelphia Phantoms claim a Calder Cup in 1998 and scored the game-winning goal in the deciding Game 6 of the Calder Cup Final against the St. John Flames. Coles also played in the ECHL [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/](1991-95, 1998-00), the British Hockey League (1993-94) and the International Hockey League (1998-99). "I’m beyond excited to be joining the team as assistant coach," Coles stated. "This is an incredible opportunity. I want to thank Coach Peters and the Reading Royals organization. I can’t wait to get started working with the players and developing relationships with the staff and the city of Reading. I am looking forward to the upcoming season." On the International level, Coles represented his home nation on Team Canada in 1992-93 where he recorded 31 points (9-22-31) in 27 games played. Prior to beginning his professional playing career with the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds of the ECHL in 1991, Coles played four seasons at Rensselaer Polytech Institute (1987-91) in the NCAA [https://thehockeynews.com/ncaa/], where he served as the team’s Captain during his final campaign.
