Florida Everblades
| Florida Everblades | |
|---|---|
 2017–18 ECHL season | |
 | |
| City | Estero, Florida |
| League | ECHL |
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | South |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Home arena | Germain Arena |
| Colors |
Navy blue, green and white |
| Owner(s) | Peter Karmanos |
| General manager | Craig Brush |
| Head coach | Brad Ralph |
| Media | Alex Reed |
| Affiliates |
Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) Charlotte Checkers (AHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 1998–present | Florida Everblades |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | 2 (1999–00, 2008–09) |
| Division Championships | 5 (1999–00, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2014–15, 2016–17) |
| Conference Championships | 3 (2003–04, 2004–05, 2011–12) |
| Kelly Cups | 1 (2011–12) |
The Florida Everblades are a minor league ice hockey team based in Estero, Florida; near Fort Myers. They play in the ECHL and are affiliated with the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL). Their home games are played at Germain Arena.
The Everblades were founded in 1998. They play in the South Division of the Eastern Conference in the ECHL. They have only missed the playoffs once in team history (2013–14), and have made three appearances in the Kelly Cup finals, winning in 2012.[1]
History
The team was founded in 1998, when current GM Craig Brush was inspired to bring a minor-league hockey team to Southwest Florida while reading a free copy of a National Geographic magazine that featured articles on the Florida Everglades. The team's name derives from the former Kentucky Thoroughblades AHL franchise.
The Everblades' logo features a gator-head design fused in the form of an ice skate. Barnstorm Creative Group, a Vancouver graphic design company, designed the logo. Barnstorm was contacted by 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. The Everblades won their first Kelly Cup on May 23, 2012, against the Las Vegas Wranglers.[2] Brandon MacLean scored the championship-winning-goal in overtime during game five.[3] Everblades goaltender, John Muse, was named the most valuable player of the 2012 Kelly Cup playoffs.[4]
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 Germain 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 teams engaged 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, Everblades forward Greg Hornby checked Greenville's Vladimir Gusev hard into the boards behind the net, causing Gusev to leave the game injured. 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, Greenville pest Krys Barch screened 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, attempting to sucker-punch O'Connell. Instead, O'Connell quickly skated away from the crease before Barch turned around. Barch ended up punching Everblades goalie Tyler MacKay. O'Connell then jumped on top of Barch, and all the players on the ice dropped the gloves for a wild line brawl that saw Florida goalie MacKay and others getting ejected for fighting.
After the mayhem, Craig Kowalski took MacKay's place as netminder. Shortly thereafter, the Everblades' Simon Tremblay fought Greenville's Adam Nightingale as the last fight of the evening. The Everblades went on to win the game, 4-1, and eventually to sweep the series, three games to none. Barch was assessed a one-game suspension for his role in the brawl.[5]
Game two featured no fights and the Everblades won in overtime, 3-2.
2012 Kelly Cup finals
Florida won the 2012 Kelly Cup playoffs with a 3-2 overtime victory at home in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 7,290.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]
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.
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.[9] The team was made for sale and is currently being shopped by Park Lane, a sports investment-banking firm that specializes in the sale of sports teams.[10] Since that time, no formal announcements have taken place on the progression of the sale.
Logos
Through the Everblades' history, they have had three anniversary logos—the fifth-anniversary logo used in 2002-03, the 10th anniversary logo used in 2007-08, and the 15th anniversary logo used in 2012-13.
5th anniversary
10th anniversary
15th anniversary
Season-by-season record
| Season | Conference | Division | Regular season | Playoffs | Individual and team honors | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | 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)[11][12] |
| 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[13] John Brophy Award Bob Ferguson[11][12] Plus Performer Award (Andy MacIntyre)[14][15] |
| 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)[16] |
| 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[17] |
| 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[17] Reebok Goaltender of the Year (Chris Madden)[18] |
| 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)[19][20] Reebok Equipment Manager of the Year (John Jennings)[21] |
| 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[13] CCM U+ Most Valuable Player (Kevin Baker)[22] Leading Scorer (Kevin Baker)[23] |
| 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[24] Kelly Cup[3] Kelly Cup Playoff's Most Valuable Player (John Muse)[25] |
| 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 | |
| Totals | 1363 | 798 | 430 | 36 | 99 | 0.635 | 4724 | 4011 | — | 84–67 in playoffs | 1 Kelly Cup 2 Brabham Cups 3 Gingher Memorial Trophies 2 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
| # | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 |  |
Armstrong, NelsonNelson Armstrong | D | L | 23 | 2017 | Peterborough, Ontario | Everblades |
| 39 |  |
Cox, JoeJoe Cox | RW | R | 23 | 2017 | Chelsea, Michigan | Everblades |
| |
Kea, JustinJustin Kea | C | L | 23 | 2017 | Woodville, Ontario | Everblades | |
| |
LaPorte, NolanNolan LaPorte | RW | R | 25 | 2017 | Chicago, Illinois | Everblades | |
| 25 | |
McCarron, JohnJohn McCarron | RW | R | 25 | 2016 | Macomb, Michigan | Everblades |
Notable players
There are 31 Florida Everblades' alumni that have advanced to play in the NHL after playing for the team:
Florida Everblades that played in the NHL before playing with the team:
- Chris Beckford-Tseu - St. Louis Blues
- Brad Brown - Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres
- Kevin Brown - Los Angeles Kings, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers
- Barry Brust - Los Angeles Kings
- Mike Card - Buffalo Sabres
- Brad Church - Washington Capitals
- Matt Corrente - New Jersey Devils
- Kevin Czuczman - New York Islanders
- Stefan Della Rovere - St. Louis Blues
- Nicolas Deschamps - Washington Capitals
- Jon DiSalvatore - St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild
- Brad Fast - Carolina Hurricanes
- Paul Healey - Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche
- Riku Helenius - Tampa Bay Lightning
- Brayden Irwin - Toronto Maple Leafs
- Bryce Lampman - New York Rangers
- Pat MacLeod - Minnesota North Stars, San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars
- Grant McNeill - Florida Panthers
- Mike Morrison - Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators and Phoenix Coyotes
- Kevin Quick - Tampa Bay Lightning
- Brian Rafalski - New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings. Won the Stanley Cup three times (New Jersey in 2000 and 2003; Detroit in 2008).
- Remi Royer - Chicago Blackhawks
- Richard Shulmistra - New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers
- Matthew Spiller - Phoenix Coyotes and New York Islanders
- Nick Tarnasky - Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers
- Kris Vernarsky - Boston Bruins
- Allen York - Columbus Blue Jackets
All-time franchise record holders
- Games Played: Mathieu Roy - 374
- Goals: Reggie Berg - 145
- Assists: Tom Buckley - 207
- Points: Reggie Berg - 319
- Power play goals: Mathieu Roy - 40
- Penalty minutes: Mathieu Roy - 560
- Goaltending Games Played: Marc Magliarditi - 139
- Goaltending Wins: Marc Magliarditi - 81
- Goaltending Goals against average (Min 15 games): Tyler MacKay - 1.92
- Goaltending Save percentage (Min 15 games): Anthony Peters - .934
Individual records and streaks
Individual records
- Most goals - game: 4 (4 times, last by Steve Saviano, Mar. 31, 2006 vs. Pensacola)
- Most assists - game: 4 (11 times, last by Rob Hennigar, Nov. 14, 2009 vs. Toledo)
- Most points - game: 6 (twice, both by Jacob Micflikier, last on Nov. 5, 2009 at Charlotte)
- Most shots - game: 12 (3 times, last by Kevin Baker, Jan. 13, 2009 at Charlotte)
- Most penalty minutes - game: 37 (Kyle Kos Mar. 22, 2003 at South Carolina)
- Most saves - game: 58 (Rob Zepp, Dec. 27, 2003 at Gwinnett)
- Most saves - period: 25 (twice, last by Rob Zepp, Dec. 27, 2003 at Gwinnett (1st))
Individual streaks
- Consecutive game goal scoring streak: 9 (Keith Anderson 10/18/03 – 11/8/03 and Brendan O'Donnell 3/25/16 – 04/09/16)
- Consecutive game assist streak: 10 (Daniel Sisca (12/9/05 - 12/28/05))
- Consecutive game point streak: 16 (Tom Buckley (10/26/01 - 12/7/01))
- Consecutive games started streak: 15 (twice, last by Craig Kowalski (2/10/07 - 3/10/07))
- Longest winning streak: 9 (Tyler MacKay (2/25/05 - 3/19/05))
- Longest unbeaten streak: 11 (Tyler MacKay (2/19/05 - 3/19/05) (9-0-2))
- Longest shutout streak: 163:43 (Randy Petruk (11/3/01 - 12/14/01))[28]
Retired numbers
- Reggie Berg - played with Blades from 1999–2007, jersey number 10 is retired
- Tom Buckley - played with Blades from 1999–2004, jersey number 14 is retired
- Ernie Hartlieb - played with the Blades from 2004-2011, jersey number 9 is retired
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.[29]
ECHL Hall of Fame
In December 2012, the ECHL announced that former Everblades' goalie Marc Magliarditi would be inducted into the ECHL's Hall of Fame on January 23, 2013.[30] Magliarditi played for the Everblades from 1998 through 2001.[31]
In December 2015, the ECHL announced that Everblades' President and General Manager Craig Brush would be inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame on February 5, 2016. Brush has served as the team’s President and General Manager since the team's inception in 1998 and he oversees all aspects of both the hockey club and the sports complex. Brush also served as the Chairman of the ECHL Board of Governors for three seasons from 2003 through 2006.
Awards and trophies
E.A. Gingher Memorial Trophy
The Everblades have won the E.A. Gingher Memorial Trophy three times, in 2004, 2005, and 2012. In 2004, the trophy was given to the champion of the Eastern Conference; the Everblades beat the Reading Royals 3–2 to win the conference. They lost in the Kelly Cup finals 4–1 to the Idaho Steelheads of the Western Conference.
In 2005, the Gingher trophy was given to the American Conference champion. The Everblades beat the Charlotte Checkers 4–2 to win the conference. They lost to the Trenton Titans of the National Conference, 4–2, in the Cup finals.
In 2012, the Everblades won the Kelly Cup, winning the Eastern Conference by defeating the Kalamazoo Wings 4–1. In the Finals, they beat the Las Vegas Wranglers of the Western Conference 4–1.
Brabham Cup
In the 1999–2000 and 2008–09 seasons, the Everblades won the Brabham Cup, a trophy given to the team that has the most points in the entire league. The Everblades took the trophy with 108 points in 1999–2000, and 103 points in 2008–09.[32]
Kelly Cup
The Florida Everblades won the 2011–12 ECHL Championship, which earned them the Kelly Cup.[33]
References
- ↑ "ECHL stats archive". Archived from the original on January 6, 2014.
- ↑ http://www.news-press.com/article/20120523/SS18/120523031/Florida-Everblades-win-Kelly-Cup?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cp
- 1 2 "The ECHL". Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ↑ "The ECHL". Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ↑ Kent, Andy (26 April 2005). "ECHL Notebook: Grrrowl player suspended after brawl". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
- ↑ Hauth, Ed (23 May 2012). "Everblades close out series over Wranglers to win Kelly Cup". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- ↑ Dewey, Todd (23 May 2012). "Wranglers fall short of Kelly Cup with Game 5 loss to Florida". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- ↑ Wommack, Woody (23 May 2012). "Everblades crowned champions". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- ↑ http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/apr/30/everblades-germain-arena-for-sale-but-maybe-not/
- ↑ "Team for sale*". Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- 1 2 "John Brophy Award Winners". ECHL. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- 1 2 "Bob Ferguson Career Stats". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- 1 2 "Brabham Cup Champions". ECHL. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Plus Performer Winners". ECHL. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Andy MacIntyre Career Stats". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Executive of the Year Winners". ECHL. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- 1 2 "Gingher Trophy Winners". ECHL. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Reebok Goaltender of the Year Winners". ECHL. Archived from the original on July 20, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Sportsmanship Award Winners". ECHL. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Steve Saviano Career Stats". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Reebok Equipment Manager of the Year Award Winners". ECHL. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Florida's Baker Is CCM U+ ECHL Most Valuable Player". ECHL. April 9, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
- ↑ "Kevin Baker Career Stats". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Florida claims Eastern Conference title" (Press Release). ECHL. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
- ↑ Dorsey, David (May 24, 2012). "MVP John Muse saves the day for Everblades". Fort Myers News-Press. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ↑ "Florida Everblades playing roster". Florida Everblades. 2016-04-03. Retrieved 2016-07-25.
- ↑ Halford, Mike (5 Apr 2012). "Boston has been the land of opportunity for goalies this season". Pro Hockey Talk. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ↑ "Individual Records". Florida Everblades. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
- ↑ Sodergren, Andrew (19 October 2012). "Everblades honor Hartlieb, fall flat against Orlando". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
- ↑ Hardwig, Greg (3 December 2012). "Ex-Everblades goalie Marc Magliarditi headed to ECHL Hall". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ↑ "Marc Magliarditi Career Stats". HockeyDB. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ↑ "Premier 'AA' Hockey League | ECHL Stats Archive". The Echl. 2010-10-08. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
- ↑ "Everblades capture Kelly Cup". Sports Illustrated. 2012-05-23. Retrieved 2012-05-23.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Florida Everblades. |
- The official Florida Everblades website
- The Official ECHL Website
- The Charlotte Checkers, AHL Affiliates to the Everblades
- The Carolina Hurricanes, NHL Affiliates to the Everblades
- All-Time Everblades Roster
| Preceded by Pee Dee Pride |
Brabham Cup Champions 1999 – 2000 |
Succeeded by Trenton Titans |
| Preceded by Cincinnati Cyclones |
Brabham Cup Champions 2008 – 2009 |
Succeeded by Idaho Steelheads |
| Preceded by Alaska Aces |
Kelly Cup Champions 2011 – 2012 |
Succeeded by Reading Royals |
