Royals re-sign Drake, Cockerill

Reading, Pa. – The Reading Royals announced that defensemen David Drake and Garret Cockerill have re-signed with the team for the 2020-21 season.

Both have played each of the last two seasons with Reading and each are coming off career seasons in points; Cockerill was second among team blue liners with a career-high 29 points (6g-13a) while Drake posted 14 points (1g-13a).

Drake was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the seventh round (210th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He turned professional after four seasons at UConn from 2014-18 and has 22 points (2g-20a) and 74 penalty minutes in 118 ECHL games. Drake has played nine American Hockey League games with Lehigh Valley since joining the pro ranks.

Cockerill is preparing for his fourth professional season and has compiled 73 points (15g-58a) and a +7 rating in 182 games. He skated for Cleveland in the AHL over parts of two seasons from 2017-19 and received Calder Cup Playoff experience in 2019, posting an assist in six games as the Monsters qualified for the second round of the playoffs.