Former Lindenwood men's hockey player Ryan Finnegan signed with the Reading Royals of the ECHL over the weekend. Finnegan joins Andy Willis as players from the inaugural NCAA Division I team to sign professional contracts.

"I've been very fortunate for the past five seasons to say that I am his head coach" explained Lindenwood men's hockey head coach Rick Zombo. "Each of those five seasons, he was an intricate part for us to win. Most importantly, I was able to watch him mature into a strong young man capable of handling more than goals and assists in a hockey rink."

The Royals are an AA minor league hockey team and are affiliates of the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL. The Royals participate in the North Division of the ECHL and currently sit in second place with 82 points. The Tecumseh, Kan. native picked up an assist in his first game with the Royals.

"I'm thankful to be given the opportunity to play hockey professionally after college, this has always been a dream of mine growing up" said Finnegan. I can't thank the coaching staff enough for giving me the opportunity to develop and succeed during my time at Lindenwood. "I'm truly grateful the coaching staff provided me the opportunity to play a year at the NCAA Division I level and help develop my game for the professional level. Lindenwood will always have a special place in my heart and I'm so happy I chose to play my college career at Lindenwood!" 

Finnegan compiled 20 points on six goals and 14 assist during the 2022-23 campaign. Four out of the six goals came on the powerplay, which ranked second on the team.  The Tecumseh, Kan. native netted the game-winning goal late in the third period, which gave Lindenwood its first-ever Division I win back on October 14.

ABOUT THE ECHL
Began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 27 teams in 20 states and two Canadian provinces for its 35th season in 2022-23. There have been more than 700 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL. The ECHL has affiliations with 27 of the 32 NHL teams in 2022-23, marking the 245h consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL.