The Reading Royals got back defenseman Will Zmolek from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and traded forward Solag Bakich to the Allen Americans for cash considerations on Friday.
Will Zmolek is six foot three and weighs 194 pounds. The 24-year-old from Rochester, Minnesota, earned two points (2 assists) in three games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this year. In addition, Zmolek has seven penalty minutes in five games for the Reading Royals this season. Last season, Zmolek played three regular season games and one playoff game for the Phantoms.
Before Lehigh Valley, Zmolek wrapped up his collegiate career as an alternate captain earning 21 points (4 goals, 17 assists) on 56 shots including two power play goals, one shorthanded goal, a game-winning goal, and 24 penalty minutes in 36 games for the Beavers.
In addition, he was named CCHA Defenseman of the Month (December) and CCHA Defenseman of the Week (Nov. 14).
Zmolek played one season for the Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL) in 2016 with two points (1 goal, 1 assist) in 14 games. Then, he played two seasons for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) with 34 points (4 goals, 30 assists) in 121 games.
Zmolek played four seasons at Bemidji State University (2019-22) with 46 points (9 goals, 37 assists) on 170 shots, 72 penalty minutes, two power play goals, one shorthanded goal, and two game-winning goals in 126 games for the Beavers.
He earned CCHA Defenseman of the Week (Mar. 8) in his Junior season, WCHA All-Academic Team in his Sophomore season, and an AHCA Division I Krampade All-American Scholar in his freshman year.
Will Zmolek is the son of former NHL player Doug Zmolek. He played eight NHL seasons for the Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, and Chicago Blackhawks.
Solag Bakich is six foot and weighs 194 pounds. The 25-year-old from Dallas, Texas, had one point (1 goal) and 17 penalty minutes in six games for the Royals this season. Last season, Bakich had 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) and 13 penalty minutes in 12 games. In addition, Bakich had 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) and six penalty minutes in 8 playoff games.
Before Reading, Bakich played one season in the NAHL for the Bismarck Bobcats in 2015 with 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in 45 games. In addition, he had 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) 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) in 121 games. In addition, he had 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists) in eight USHL playoff games.
Collegiately, Bakich played four seasons at Notre Dame (2019-22) with 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) on 169 shots in 108 games for the Fighting Irish. He is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten.
