Hatch re-joins ECHL's Reading Royals

by Ryan Fay

Former Union forward Matt Hatch was signed to a Standard Players Contract by the ECHL's Reading Royals on Wednesday.

Hatch in a game with the Royals last season.

Hatch had been a free agent since last week, when he was released by the Orlando Solar Bears less than two months after signing with the team.

Hatch is no stranger to Reading, having spent most of last season there. He had nine goals and six assists in 39 games with the team a year ago, with the nine goals tying for the club lead among rookies. His plus-8 rating topped team rookies.

In addition to his time with the Royals, Hatch also skated in a pair of games last season with the American Hockey League's Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

The 25-year-old could make his season debut with the Royals as early as Friday, when they travel to take on an Elmira team that includes Mark Bennett, one of Hatch's former Union teammates.

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