The Reading Royals traded forward Alec Butcher to the Tulsa Oilers on Sunday for forward Tag Bertuzzi. In addition, the Royals received forward Brayden Guy from the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).
Alec Butcher is five foot ten and weighs 183 pounds. The 29-year-old from Anchorage, Alaska, earned seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) and two penalty minutes in 15 games for the Royals this season.
Last season, Butcher 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.
Tag Bertuzzi is six foot one and weighs 220 pounds. The 22-year-old from Vancouver, British Columbia, earned three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and six penalty minutes in 14 games for the Oilers this season.
Last season, Bertuzzi split his time with the Tulsa Oilers and Norfolk Admirals with 52 points (24 goals, 28 assists) and 32 penalty minutes in 64 games. In addition, he played one game for the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). Bertuzzi was named Tulsa’s Offensive Player of the Year last season.
Before the ECHL, Bertuzzi played four seasons in the OHL for the Guelph Storm, Hamilton Bulldogs, and the Flint Firebirds with 112 points (53 goals, 59 assists) and 98 penalty minutes in 191 games. In the OHL playoffs, Bertuzzi had nine points (5 goals, 4 assists) and 10 penalty minutes in 20 games.
Internationally, Bertuzzi played one season for HK Levice (Slovakia2) with 23 points (7 goals, 16 assists) and 43 penalty minutes in 22 games. In addition, he played one playoff game with 12 penalty minutes. Bertuzzi is the son of former NHL All-Star Todd Bertuzzi.
Brayden Guy is six foot and weighs 194 pounds. The 22-year-old from Brampton, Ontario, has one point (1 assist) and two penalty minutes in seven games for the Orlando Solar Bears. Last season in Orlando, Guy had 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists) and 23 penalty minutes in 55 games.
Before Orlando, Guy played four seasons in the OHL for the Sarnia Sting and Guelph Storm with 121 points (68 goals, 53 assists) and 129 penalty minutes in 218 games. In the OHL playoffs, Guy had five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and 15 penalty minutes in 19 games.
Internationally, Guy played for the Steel Wings Linz (AlpsHL) in the 2020-21 season with 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) and 27 penalty minutes in 15 games.
The Royals return home next Thursday against the Kalamazoo Wings at 7 pm on FloHockey. Purchase Reading Royals tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
