Flyers sign F Matt Read

The Flyers have signed forward Matt Read to a free-agent contract that will begin at the start of the 2011-12 season.

Read, 24, was the team captain during his senior season at Bemidji State University, a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.  He posted 22 goals and 13 assists for 35 points in 37 games, leading the team in goals and finishing second in points.

A native of Ilderton, Ontario, Read re-wrote the BSU record books for the Division 1 era of the school, which dates back to 1999.  He appeared in 147 career games, recording 65 goals and 78 assists for 143 points.  All of those totals are all-time school records in their particular categories.  Read appeared in 143 consecutive games for the Beavers, playing in every game over four years until he missed the final regular season game of his senior season before returning for the WCHA postseason.

Read is a finalist for the 2011 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in hockey, which is given each year to an NCAA Division I senior who has notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.  The winner will be announced on April 7.