The Reading Royals re-signed forward Alec Butcher and defenseman Tyler Heidt for the 2023-24 season on Monday.
Alec Butcher is five foot ten and weighs 183 pounds. The 29-year-old from Anchorage, Alaska, earned 49 points (21 goals, 28 assists), and 43 penalty minutes in 72 games for the Royals last season. In addition, he collected four points (1 goal, 3 assists), and six penalty minutes in 11 playoff games. The Royals acquired Butcher from the Rapid City Rush for Future Considerations (T.J. Fergus) on August 23, 2022.
Before Reading, Alec Butcher played for the Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL) for two seasons with 96 points (34 goals, 62 assists), and 98 penalty minutes in 101 games. In addition, Butcher earned nine points (3 goals, 6 assists), and ten penalty minutes in ten playoff games.
Collegiately, Butcher played three seasons at Sacred Heart University (2014-16) with 39 points (8 goals, 31 assists), and 59 penalty minutes in 79 games for the Pioneers. Then, he transferred to the University of Alaska-Anchorage for his senior season with 13 points (8 goals, 5 assists), and six penalty minutes in 16 games for the Seawolves.
After his collegiate career ended, Butcher signed with the Wheeling Nailers earning 52 points (27 goals, 25 assists), and 44 penalty minutes in 89 games.
Butcher did not play in the 2020-21 season and signed with the Rapid City Rush on September 26, 2021. He collected 53 points (23 goals, 30 assists), and 70 penalty minutes in 69 games. He also earned five points (1 goal, 4 assists), and six penalty minutes in 11 playoff games.
Tyler Heidt is six foot and weighs 190 pounds. The 24-year-old from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, earned 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists), and eight penalty minutes in 18 games. He also earned an assist in 11 playoff games. The Royals signed Heidt on March 6, 2023.
Before Reading, Heidt played two seasons with the Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) with 30 points (8 goals, 22 assists), and 60 penalty minutes in 63 games. In addition, he collected three points (2 goals, 1 assist), and two penalty minutes in seven playoff games.
He was named to the SJHL All-Rookie Team in 2016 after earning 21 points (7 goals, 14 assists), and 54 penalty minutes in 54 games. In addition, he scored one goal in four playoff games.
Collegiately, Heidt began at Merrimack College (2018-20) for three seasons collecting five points (1 goal, 4 assists), and 26 penalty minutes in 71 games for the Warriors.
Then, he transferred to the University of Regina (2021-22) for his last two seasons with 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists), and 52 penalty minutes in 48 games for the Cougars. In his final season, Heidt earned 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists), and 40 penalty minutes in 28 games for the Cougars. In addition, he played two playoff games with four penalty minutes.
