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Florida Everblades
Florida Everblades Logo
City: Estero, Florida
League: ECHL
Conference: Eastern Conference
Division: South Division
Founded: 1998
Home Arena: Hertz Arena formerly Germain Arena
Colors: Navy blue, green and white
              
Owner(s): David Hoffman
General Manager: Craig Brush
Head Coach: Brad Ralph
Affiliates: Nashville Predators (NHL), Milwaukee Admirals (AHL)
Franchise history
1998–present: Florida Everblades
Championships
Regular Season Titles: 41999–00, 2008–09, 2017-18, 2020-21
Division Championships: 1999–00, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2017-18, 2018-19
Conference Championships: 2003–04, 2004–05, 2017-18
Kelly Cups: 1 2011-12

The Florida Everblades are an ECHL ice hockey team playing in the Southeast Division. The team is based in Estero, Florida and plays at Hertz Arena (Formerly Germain Arena and previously the Teco Arena). The team has existed since 1998. The Everblades are affiliated with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL) and with the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Everblades have made four appearances in the Kelly Cup Finals winning in 2012.

History[]

The team was founded by current owner Craig Brush in 1998. Prior to the building of the Germain Arena (now Hertz Arena), the arena sat on an empty cow pasture on what is now Everblades Parkway near Interstate 75 in Estero. Brush was said to be reading a free copy of a National Geographic magazine that featured articles on the Florida Everglades, when he envisioned the idea to bring a minor-league hockey team to Southwest Florida. The team's name derives from the former Kentucky Thoroughblades AHL franchise.


In April 2013, owner Peter Karmanos, Jr. announced he would be selling the team along with Germain Arena to "simplify things" in his life, as he had just retired from the company he founded, Compuware.[1] The team was made for sale and was being shopped by Park Lane, a sports investment-banking firm that specializes in the sale of sports teams.[2] Since that time, no formal announcements have taken place on the progression of the sale. In 2018, Karmanos gave up majority control of the Hurricanes to new majority owner Thomas Dundon. After the 2018–19 season, the Everblades dropped the Hurricanes affiliation for the first time and partnered with the Nashville Predators.[3] It was then announced on August 5, 2019, that Karmanos had sold both the team and arena to David Hoffmann, a Naples, Florida, resident and real estate investor.[4]

[]

The Everblades' logo features a gator-head design fused in the form of an ice skate. The logo was designed by a Vancouver graphic design company affiliated with Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos, who came up with the idea of choosing the Everblades colors as blue and green, in tribute to the Hartford Whalers team that Karmanos moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. The Everblades' inaugural home opener featured a pre-game ceremony in which a large alligator was brought onto the ice to pay tribute to the team's name and logo, as well as Florida's vast population of reptile species.

Awards and Trophies[]

E.A. Gingher Memorial Trophy[]

The Everblades have won the E.A. Gingher Memorial Trophy in 2004,2005, and 2018. In 2004, the trophy was given to the champion of the Eastern Conference and to the American Conference champion in 2005. In both years, the Everblades lost to the winners of the Bruce Taylor Trophy. In 2004 the loss was to the Idaho Steelheads of the Western Conference and to the Trenton Titans of the National Conference in 2005.

Brabham Cup[]

In the 1999–2000 season, the Everblades won the Brabham Cup. This trophy is given to the team that has the best position in the standings for the entire league. The Everblades took the trophy with 108 points (53-15-2), but fell in the first round to the Augusta Lynx. In the ECHL in 2000, there was no overtime period, with play going directly to a shootout. Therefore all losses in a shootout are designated as ties. The team would win the award again in 2018 when they finished atop the league standings with 112 points.

Historic games in Everblades History[]

2004 American Conference finals[]

In game five of the 2004 American Conference finals, the Everblades faced the Reading Royals in the final game of an epic series. Florida won the first two games at home, but Reading evened the series at home, the next two of the best-of-five series. In game five, the score was tied at the end of regulation, 2–2, so the game was sent to overtime. John McNabb of the Everblades scored on a breakaway to defeat the Royals in front of a record crowd of 7,080 fans at Hertz Arena.

2005 Playoff Brawl[]

One famous event that stands out among Blades' fans was during the 2005 ECHL playoffs.

With the Everblades hosting the Greenville Grrrowl on April 22, 2005 for the first game of the American Conference Semifinals, the Everblades and Grrrowl would engage in a third-period line brawl that would see both teams combine for 197 minutes in penalties.

The brawl stemmed from previous incidents throughout the game. Prior to the brawl, then-Everblades forward Greg Hornby checked Greenville's Vladimir Gusev hard into the boards behind the net. Gusev would leave the game injured, and as a result, the pace of the game as well as checking, would pick up.

With the Blades up 4-1 with under six minutes to play in the third period, then-Greenville pest Krys Barch would screen the net during a Greenville shooting attempt. Everblades defenceman Tim O'Connell checked Barch from behind numerous times, hoping to clear him from in front of the net. Barch, having been fed up with being pressured, turned around hoping to sucker-punch O'Connell. Instead, O'Connell quickly skated away from the crease before Barch turned around, and Barch would end up punching Everblades goalie Tyler Mackay. O'Connell jumped on top of Barch, resulting in a dog pile.

All players on the ice dropped the gloves for a wild line brawl that would see Florida goalie Tyler Mackay and others getting ejected for fighting.

After all the mayhem, Craig Kowalski would take Mackay's place as netminder. Shortly thereafter, the Everblades' Simon Tremblay would scrap with Greenville's Adam Nightingale to end the fiasco. The Everblades would go onto win the game, 4-1, and sweep the series, three games to none.

Ironically, game 2 featured no fights as the Everblades won an overtime thriller by a score of 3-2.

2012 Kelly Cup finals[]

15 Everblades win!

The Everblades celebrate their victory in game five of the Kelly Cup finals on May 23, 2012.

Florida won the 2012 Kelly Cup playoffs with a 4-1 victory at home in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 7,290.[5] The first period saw Las Vegas Wranglers goalie Joe Fallon beaten by Justin Shugg and Mike Ratchuk, but Las Vegas edged back to even the score by the third, with Ash Goldie and Peter MacArthur beating John Muse to force the overtime.[6] At 4:54 into the overtime, after Ryan Donald passed to Matt Beca, who in turn sent the puck to Brandon MacLean, who beat Fallon and secured the victory.[7]

The win earned Florida the Kelly Cup, and secured a perfect home record of 11-0 in the postseason (two victories over Greenville and three each over Elmira, Kalamazoo, and Las Vegas). Additionally, John Muse earned the Kelly Cup finals MVP award.

Season-by-season record[]

Season Conference Division Regular season Playoffs Individual and team honors
GP W L OL SL Pts Pct GF GA Head coach
1998–99 Southern Southeast 70 45 20 0 5 95 0.679 253 180 Bob Ferguson Won conference quarterfinal 3–0 vs. Birmingham
Lost conference semifinal 0–3 vs. Mississippi
John Brophy Award (Bob Ferguson)[8][9]
1999–00 Southern Southeast 70 53 15 0 2 108 0.771 277 181 Bob Ferguson Lost conference quarterfinal 2–3 vs. Augusta Brabham Cup

[10]
John Brophy Award Bob Ferguson[8][9]
Plus Performer Award (Andy MacIntyre)[11][12]

2000–01 Southern Southeast 72 38 26 0 8 84 0.583 236 242 Bob Ferguson Lost conference quarterfinal 2–3 vs. Pee Dee Executive of the Year (Craig Brush)[13]
2001–02 Southern Southeast 72 37 27 0 8 82 0.569 207 221 Gerry Fleming Won division wildcard 1–0 vs. South Carolina
Lost conference quarterfinal 2–3 vs. Greenville
2002–03 Southern Southeast 72 35 23 0 14 84 0.583 239 243 Gerry Fleming Lost division wildcard 0–1 vs. Greenville
2003–04 Eastern Southern 72 37 25 0 10 84 0.583 239 221 Gerry Fleming Won division semifinal 3–2 vs. Roanoke
Won Division Finals 3–0 vs. South Carolina
Won conference final 3–2 vs. Reading
Lost Kelly Cup final 1–4 vs. Idaho
Gingher Memorial Trophy[14]
2004–05 American South 72 42 20 4 6 94 0.653 237 192 Gerry Fleming Won conference quarterfinal 3–1 vs. South Carolina
Won in Conference Semifinals 3–0 vs. Greenville
Won conference final 4–2 vs. Charlotte
Lost Kelly Cup final 2–4 vs. Trenton
Gingher Memorial Trophy[14]
Reebok Goaltender of the Year (Chris Madden)[15]
2005–06 American South 72 48 20 3 1 100 0.694 267 208 Gerry Fleming Won division semifinal 3–1 vs. Greenville
Lost division final 1–3 vs. Gwinnett
Sportsmanship Award (Steve Saviano)[16][17]
Reebok Equipment Manager of the Year (John Jennings)[18]
2006–07 American South 72 44 22 4 2 94 0.653 272 212 Gerry Fleming Won division semifinal 3–0 vs. Charlotte
Won division final 4–2 vs. Texas
Lost conference final 3–4 vs. Dayton
2007–08 American South 72 39 25 4 4 86 0.597 230 198 Gerry Fleming Lost division quarterfinal 0–3 vs. Columbia
2008–09 American South 71* 49 17 2 3 103 0.725 269 187 Malcolm Cameron Won division semifinal 4–1 vs. Gwinnett
Lost division final 2–4 vs. South Carolina
Brabham Cup[10]
CCM U+ Most Valuable Player (Kevin Baker)[19]
Leading Scorer (Kevin Baker)[20]
2009–10 American South 72 38 25 4 5 85 0.590 234 221 Malcolm Cameron Won conference quarterfinal 3–2 vs. Elmira
Lost conference semifinal 0–4 vs. Reading
2010–11 Eastern South 72 37 30 1 4 79 0.549 236 222 Greg Poss Lost conference quarterfinal 1–3 vs. Kalamazoo
2011–12 Eastern South 72 39 26 2 5 85 0.590 260 218 Greg Poss Won conference quarterfinal 3–0 vs. Greenville
Won conference semifinal 4–1 vs. Elmira
Won conference final 4–1 vs. Kalamazoo
Won Kelly Cup final 4–1 vs. Las Vegas
Gingher Memorial Trophy[21]
Kelly Cup[22]
Kelly Cup Playoff's Most Valuable Player (John Muse)[23]
2012–13 Eastern South 72 39 22 4 7 89 0.618 260 241 Greg Poss Won conference quarterfinal 4–2 vs. Elmira
Lost conference semifinal 3–4 vs. Reading
Leading Scorer (Mathieu Roy)
2013–14 Eastern South 72 37 27 3 5 82 0.569 240 222 Greg Poss Did not qualify for 2014 Kelly Cup playoffs
2014–15 Eastern East 72 49 16 2 5 105 0.729 267 208 Greg Poss Won division semifinals 4–2 vs. Orlando
Lost division final 2–4 vs. South Carolina
2015–16 Eastern South 72 46 23 1 2 95 .660 226 175 Greg Poss Lost conference quarterfinals 2–4 vs. Wheeling ECHL CCM Rookie of the Year (Matt Willows)
ECHL Community Service Award (Rob Florentino)
2016–17 Eastern South 72 46 21 2 3 97 .674 275 219 Brad Ralph Won division semifinals 4–3 vs. Orlando
Lost division finals 1–4 vs. South Carolina
2017–18 Eastern South 72 53 13 2 4 112 .778 261 171 Brad Ralph Won division semifinals 4–0 vs. Atlanta
Won division finals 4–1 vs. Orlando
Won conference finals 4-1 vs. Adirondack
Lost 3-4 vs Colorado Eagles in Kelly Cup Final
Brabham Cup
John Brophy Award (Brad Ralph)
2018–19 Eastern South 72 50 16 5 1 106 .736 276 181 Brad Ralph

Won division semifinals 4-2 vs. Jacksonville
Won Div. Final 4-1 vs Orlando
L, 1-4 Conf Final vs Newfoundland Growlers

2019–20 Eastern South 62 43 13 4 2 92 .742 227 156 Brad Ralph Season cancelled
2020-21 Eastern N/A 69 42 19 5 3 92 .667 233 193 Brad Ralph Lost Div. Semifinals 2-3 vs South Carolina Stingrays
Totals 1638 986 472 51 108 0.650 5721 4712 110–83 in playoffs 1 Kelly Cup
3 Brabham Cups
3 Gingher Memorial Trophies
3 John Brophy Awards

|}

* The 2008–09 team played 71 games because of scheduling changes caused by the Augusta Lynx and Fresno Falcons ceasing operations mid-season. Four of the five teams (Florida, Charlotte, South Carolina, Mississippi) played 71 games, with Gwinnett playing 72.

Players[]

Current roster[]

Updated February 24, 2021.[24]
# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
6 Flag of Canada Atwal, ArvinArvin Atwal

D R 28 2019 Surrey, British Columbia Everblades
34 Flag of Canada Buitenhuis, EvanEvan Buitenhuis

G L 30 2021 Burlington, Ontario Everblades
5 Flag of the United States Downing, MichaelMichael Downing

D L 28 2019 Canton, Michigan Everblades
30 Flag of the United States Hildebrand, JakeJake Hildebrand

G L 30 2021 Butler, Pennsylvania Everblades
37 Flag of the United States Huntebrinker, MichaelMichael Huntebrinker

C L 31 2019 Chesterfield, Missouri Everblades
7 Flag of the United States Kile, AlexAlex Kile

LW L 29 2020 Troy, Michigan Everblades
40 Flag of Canada Koper, LevkoLevko Koper

LW L 33 2019 Edmonton, Alberta Everblades
23 Flag of Canada LeBlanc, StefanStefan LeBlanc

D L 27 2020 Oakville, Ontario Everblades
11 Flag of Canada MacDonald, ColeCole MacDonald

D L 28 2020 Wetaskiwin, Alberta Everblades
42 Flag of the United States Marchin, TommyTommy Marchin

LW L 28 2020 Algonac, Michigan Everblades
3 Flag of Canada Masella, BenBen Masella

 (A)

D R 31 2018 Montreal, Quebec Everblades
25 Flag of the United States McCarron, JohnJohn McCarron

 (C)

RW R 31 2016 Macomb, Michigan Everblades
20 Flag of Canada McClure, BradBrad McClure

RW R 30 2021 Stratford, Ontario Everblades
8 Flag of Canada Mitchell, MasonMason Mitchell

LW L 29 2021 Edmonton, Alberta Everblades
24 Flag of Canada Neuber, KyleKyle Neuber

RW R 34 2019 Sarnia, Ontario Everblades
13 Flag of Canada Neville, MichaelMichael Neville

LW L 30 2018 White Rock, British Columbia Everblades
17 Flag of Canada Nogard, LukeLuke Nogard

C L 30 2021 Mississauga, Ontario Everblades
22 Flag of the United States Pendenza, JoeJoe Pendenza

C L 33 2019 Wilmington, Massachusetts Everblades
18 Flag of Canada Powell, MylesMyles Powell

RW R 29 2020 Comox, British Columbia Everblades
47 Flag of the United States Roe, LoganLogan Roe

 (A)

D L 32 2015 Cape Coral, Florida Everblades
19 Flag of Canada Roy, HugoHugo Roy

C R 26 2019 Fleurimont, Quebec Everblades
26 Flag of Canada Sanford, ColeCole Sanford

RW R 28 2021 Vernon, British Columbia Everblades
Flag of Canada Sissons, ColbyColby Sissons

D L 26 2021 Edmonton, Alberta Devils
44 Flag of Canada Sol, CodyCody Sol

D L 33 2020 Woodstock, Ontario Everblades
15 Flag of Canada Vela, MarcusMarcus Vela

F R 27 2021 Burnaby, British Columbia Everblades
41 Flag of the United States Winiecki, BlakeBlake Winiecki

C L 30 2018 Lakeville, Minnesota Everblades

Retired numbers[]

Florida Everblades retired numbers
No. Player Position Career No. retirement
9 Ernie Hartlieb LW 2004–2011 October 19, 2012
10 Reggie Berg C 1999–2007 October 19, 2007
14 Tom Buckley C 1999–2004 October 19, 2007

Berg and Buckley's numbers were retired during a pre-game ceremony on October 19, 2007, as the Everblades hosted the Mississippi Sea Wolves, in what would be the Sea Wolves' first official regular season game after being placed on a two-year hiatus due to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Banners made with their jersey numbers were hung to the rafters of Germain Arena.

Hartlieb's number was retired in a ceremony before a game against the Orlando Solar Bears on October 19, 2012. Hartlieb was presented with an ECHL Championship ring (he filled in on with the team in the 2011-12 regular season, but did not appear in the playoffs), and hoisted the Kelly Cup. A banner made with his number was hung to the rafters of Germain Arena next to Berg and Buckley's.[25]

Notable players[]

Florida Everblades alumni that advanced to play in the NHL after playing for the team:

Jaredstaal

Jared Staal warming up during the 2010–11 season.

Florida Everblades that played in the NHL before playing with the team:

References[]

  1. Everblades, Germain Arena for sale, but maybe not for long. Naples Daily News (April 30, 2013).
  2. Team for sale*.
  3. ECHL hockey: Florida Everblades switch NHL affiliation to Nashville Predators (May 24, 2019).
  4. Hertz Arena, Everblades being sold to Naples businessman David Hoffmann (August 5, 2019).
  5. Hauth, Ed. "Everblades close out series over Wranglers to win Kelly Cup", 23 May 2012. 
  6. Dewey, Todd. "Wranglers fall short of Kelly Cup with Game 5 loss to Florida", 23 May 2012. 
  7. Wommack, Woody. "Everblades crowned champions", 23 May 2012. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 John Brophy Award Winners. ECHL. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Bob Ferguson Career Stats. Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Brabham Cup Champions. ECHL. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  11. Plus Performer Winners. ECHL. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  12. Andy MacIntyre Career Stats. Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  13. Executive of the Year Winners. ECHL. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Gingher Trophy Winners. ECHL. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  15. Reebok Goaltender of the Year Winners. ECHL. Archived from the original on July 20, 2015. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  16. Sportsmanship Award Winners. ECHL. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  17. Steve Saviano Career Stats. Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  18. Reebok Equipment Manager of the Year Award Winners. ECHL. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  19. Florida's Baker Is CCM U+ ECHL Most Valuable Player. ECHL (April 9, 2009). Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved on 2009-04-09.
  20. Kevin Baker Career Stats. eliteprospects.com. Retrieved on May 1, 2012.
  21. Florida claims Eastern Conference title. ECHL. Retrieved on May 6, 2012.
  22. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KellyCup
  23. Dorsey, David. "MVP John Muse saves the day for Everblades", May 24, 2012. Retrieved on May 24, 2012. 
  24. Florida Everblades playing roster. Florida Everblades (2021-02-24).
  25. Sodergren, Andrew. "Everblades honor Hartlieb, fall flat against Orlando", 19 October 2012. 
  26. Halford, Mike (5 Apr 2012). Boston has been the land of opportunity for goalies this season. Pro Hockey Talk.

For Further information[]

busleaguehockey website article on the orgins of the organization

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