On Wednesday, September 9th, the Reading Royals announced the acquisition of Mitchell Vanderlaan from the Kansas City Mavericks. The trade sends the second year forward to Reading in exchange for future considerations. During his rookie year in 2019-20, Vanderlaan spent time in Kansas City while also splitting time in South Carolina. Combined, he recorded 18 points.
Hailing from Hanwell, New Brunswick, Vanderlaan stands at five-foot-seven while weighing in at 179 pounds. The 25-year-old left winger played collegiate hockey for Cornell University. During his college hockey career, Vanderlaan scored 41 goals along with 56 assists in 132 games. He was named as captain of the Big Red in his junior season in 2017-18. At the end of the 2018-19 season, Vanderlaan skated in two games for the Utica Comets of the AHL.
The former NCAA co-captain made his ECHL debut in 2019-20. In doing so, he began his rookie campaign with the South Carolina Stingrays. The left-winger recorded five goals along with eight assists over 32 games.
In February, 2020, the Stingrays traded Vanderlaan to Kansas City where he would play out the remainder of the season. The rookie forward skated in 14 games where he tallied two goals along with three assists.
Initially re-signed to Kansas City in August, Vanderlaan will now be joining the Reading Royals for their 20th anniversary season. He is joined by newcomer forwards Brendan van Riemsdyk as well as Luke Voltin. The second year pro will also skate with returning forwards Hayden Hodgson, Frank DiChiara, Brayden Low, and Luke Stork. The list of returning forwards also includes Corey Mackin who was recently announced to have re-signed for this season.