Mann signs ATO with ECHL's Royals

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Matteo Mann's season isn't over just yet.

The Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman has signed an amateur tryout agreement with the ECHL's Reading Royals. The Royals are an affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, the organization that drafted Mann in the seventh-round in 2023.

Mann appeared in just 42 games with the Sea Dogs this season while battling some injuries. The 19-year-old posted six goals and seven assists and added one goal in four playoff games.

Mann spent the previous three seasons with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens and could return to the QMJHL for an overage season in 2024-25. Players like Mann joining a pro team at the end of the year isn't uncommon and he remains eligible to be returned to junior next season.

According to Philly Hockey Now, "if Mann plays some games for the Flyers organization, he’ll be the first player of the 2023 draft class to do so. Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk are still playing for the London Knights, while Matvei Michkov, obviously, hasn’t come over from the KHL yet."

The Royals, who sit last in the ECHL's North Division, have just two regular season games remaining. They'll host the Orlando Solar Bears on Friday and Saturday.