The Reading Royals re-signed forward Solag Bakich and signed forward Spencer Kennedy on Monday.
Solag Bakich is six foot and weighs 194 pounds. The 25-year-old from Dallas, Texas, earned ten points (3 goals, 7 assists), and 13 penalty minutes in 12 games for the Royals last year. In addition, he had four points (1 goal, 3 assists), and six penalties in eight playoff games.
“We’re excited to have Solag back for the 23/24 season,” said Head Coach James Henry. “He gained some very valuable experience in the time he was with our group after his college career. We look forward to him playing a bigger role for the Royals.”
The Royals signed Bakich on March 28, 2023, after he wrapped up his collegiate career at Notre Dame in the 2022-23 season with eight points (3 goals, 5 assists), 20 penalty minutes, and 39 blocked shots in 35 games for the Fighting Irish.
Before Reading, Bakich played four seasons at the University of Notre Dame (2019-22) with 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists), and 68 penalty minutes in 108 games for the Fighting Irish. He is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten.
Bakich played one season in the NAHL for the Bismarck Bobcats in 2015 with 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists), and 66 penalty minutes in 45 games. In addition, he had six points (4 goals, 2 assists), and 34 penalty minutes in 11 NAHL playoff games.
Bakich played three seasons in the USHL for the Des Moines Buccaneers, Sioux City Musketeers, and Waterloo Black Hawks with 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists), and 337 penalty minutes in 121 games. In addition, he has five points (1 goal, 4 assists), and six penalty minutes in eight USHL playoff games.
Spencer Kennedy is six foot six and weighs 220 pounds. The 22-year-old from Lethbridge, Alberta, played for the Roanoke Rail Yard Dogs (SPHL) last year with three points (3 goals), and 131 penalty minutes in 19 games.
“Spencer made a strong impression last season at the SPHL level,” said Head Coach James Henry. “We’re excited to add him to our team and help him develop into a better professional hockey player.”
Kennedy played two seasons in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference for the Portage College Voyageurs with ten points (4 goals, 6 assists), and 170 penalty minutes in 28 games.
Before Portage College, Kennedy played junior hockey for the Kimberley Dynamiters (KIJHL), La Ronge Ice Wolves (SJHL), and Blind River Beavers (NOJHL) with 87 points (35 goals, 52 assists), and 52 penalty minutes in 89 games.
