Photo Courtesy of the Reading Royals [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/46acfc47-fb1a-41c7-b091-9210b307cafb.jpeg] Photo Courtesy of the Reading Royals The Reading Royals have made a coaching change. The affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers]and Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League [https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/]announced that Jason Binkley has been relieved of his duties as the team’s head coach and general manager. The search for the next head coach of the Royals will begin immediately. Having joined the Royals as an assistant coach in 2022, Binkley served three seasons behind Reading’s bench. The Powell, Ohio native was an assistant under coach James Henry until assuming the position as interim head coach on Jan. 29, 2024. Binkley was named the franchise’s ninth head coach on May 17, 2024. During his tenure, the Royals compiled a record of 46-44-15 in regular-season games, which includes his 13-16-3 record as interim head coach during the 2023-24 season. Under Binkley, the Royals qualified for the playoffs in his lone full season at the helm. After clinching the final playoff spot in the North Division on the final day of the regular season, Reading was swept by the Trois-Rivieres Lions [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/game-day/lions-advance-to-north-division-finals-with-sweep-of-royals]in the Division Semifinals. The 24th season of Royals hockey will begin on the road against the Trois-Rivières Lions for a second consecutive season on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 Pm.
