ECHL: Braeden Kressler Joins Reading Royals

Originally posted on Inside The Rink
By Armand Klisivitch | Last updated Sep 3, 2026 7:01 PM ET

The Reading Royals have announced that they’ve signed forward Braeden Kressler for the 2026-27 season. Kressler, 23, has spent parts of the last two seasons in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones, putting up 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 32 games after signing an Entry-Level Deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs in October 2021. He also has two assists in 13 AHL games with the Toronto Marlies. Kressler was a part of Toronto’s roster for the Prospect Showdown against the Montreal Canadiens in each of the last three seasons. He had a power-play goal in 2024 and dropped the gloves in 2025.

This is a solid signing for Reading, as Kressler has proven he can put up strong numbers if he stays healthy. Reading now has nine forwards and six defensemen signed for the 2026-27 season.

BIG TALENT FROM THE NORTH IS JOINING OUR PRIDE!

Forward Braeden Kressler has been signed for the 2026-27 season!

https://t.co/V9146OkN48 | @ECHL pic.twitter.com/VVkPWmzStL
— Reading Royals (@ReadingRoyals) September 3, 2026

OJHL and OHL Career

Prior to going pro, the Kitchener, Ontario, native had two goals in three games with the Burlington Cougars (OJHL) before making the jump to the OHL. Kressler spent the majority of his OHL career with the Flint Firebirds, where he put up 54 goals and 69 assists for 123 points in 154 games, while also wearing an “A” in each of his three seasons with the Firebirds. He would add six goals and four assists for 10 points in 18 playoff games with Flint. The 5’9 forward would finish his OHL career with the Ottawa 67’s, where he had 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points in 32 games. He would add six goals and two assists for eight points in 10 playoff games with Ottawa.

This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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