Reading Royals' release

After spending a year with the Allen Americans of the Central Hockey League (CHL), Northeastern alumnus David Strathman (2006-10) agreed to terms with the Reading Royals of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), an affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins, on Thursday, Sept. 1.

Strathman enjoyed a fruitful rookie season as a professional, leading all rookie defensemen in scoring with 41 points (13-28-41) in 66 regular-season games and was selected to represent Allen at the CHL All-Star Classic in Rapid City, S.D. on Jan. 12, 2011. The Tempe, Ariz. native was also chosen to the CHL All-Rookie Team last year.

Strathman will most likely skate alongside fellow Husky, Louis Liotti (2005-09), who tallied 13 assists for Reading in 2010-11 before getting called up to play with both the Lake Erie Monsters and Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League (AHL).

At Northeastern, Strathman lead the Huskies in scoring amongst all blue liners twice, racking up 50 points (12-38-50) in his four seasons on Huntington Ave. Strathman's defensive efforts helped Northeastern to the 2009 NCAA Tournament and earned the program its highest ranking in the national polls (No. 2).

Reading also signed Merrimack forward, Joe Cucci, who will represent Hockey East alongside Strathman in the team's home opener against the Cincinnati Cyclones on Saturday, Oct. 22.