Florida Everblades

The Florida Everblades are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Estero, Florida, in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area. They play in the ECHL and are affiliated with the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL) starting in the 2022–23 ECHL season. Their home games are played at Hertz Arena.
The Everblades were founded in 1998. They play in the South Division of the Eastern Conference in the ECHL. They have failed to qualify for the playoffs just once in team history (2013–14) and have made six appearances in the Kelly Cup finals, winning in 2012, 2022 and 2023.
== History==
The team was founded in 1998 by Craig Brush, Peter Karmanos Jr., and Thomas Thewes and was named based on the Florida Everglades. 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 Jr., 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. Brandon MacLean scored the championship-winning-goal in overtime during game five. Everblades goaltender, John Muse, was named the most valuable player of the 2012 Kelly Cup playoffs.
===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 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.
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 4–1 victory at home in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 7,290. 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. 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.
The win earned Florida the 2012 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.
===Ownership and Affiliation Changes===
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. 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. 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. 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. Starting in the 2022-23 season, the Everblades ended their affiliation with the Predators and entered a multi-year agreement with the Florida Panthers.
==Logos==
Through the Everblades' history, they have had five anniversary logos: the fifth anniversary logo in 2002–03, the 10th anniversary logo in 2007–08, the 15th anniversary logo in 2012–13, the 20th anniversary logo in 2017–18, and the 25th anniversary logo in 2022–23.
==Season-by-season record==
Season 	Conference	Division 	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season 	Postseason 	Postseason 	Postseason 	Postseason
Season 	Conference	Division 	Finish 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Head coach 	GP 	W 	L 	Result
1998–99 	Southern 	Southeast	2nd 	70 	45 	20 	0 	5 	95 	0.679 	253 	180 	Bob Ferguson 	6 	3 	3 	Won conference quarterfinal 3–0 vs. BirminghamLost conference semifinal 0–3 vs. Mississippi
1999–00 	Southern 	Southeast	1st 	70 	53 	15 	0 	2 	108 	0.771 	277 	181 	Bob Ferguson 	5 	2 	3 	Lost conference quarterfinal 2–3 vs. Augusta
2000–01 	Southern 	Southeast	2nd 	72 	38 	26 	0 	8 	84 	0.583 	236 	242 	Bob Ferguson 	5 	2 	3 	Lost conference quarterfinal 2–3 vs. Pee Dee
2001–02 	Southern 	Southeast	5th 	72 	37 	27 	0 	8 	82 	0.569 	207 	221 	Gerry Fleming 	6 	3 	3 	Won division wildcard 1–0 vs. South CarolinaLost conference quarterfinal 2–3 vs. Greenville
2002–03 	Southern 	Southeast	4th 	72 	35 	23 	0 	14 	84 	0.583 	239 	243 	Gerry Fleming 	1 	0 	1 	Lost division wildcard 0–1 vs. Greenville
2003–04 	Eastern 	Southern 	3rd 	72 	37 	25 	0 	10 	84 	0.583 	239 	221 	Gerry Fleming 	18 	10 	8 	Won division semifinal 3–2 vs. RoanokeWon Division Finals 3–0 vs. South CarolinaWon conference final 3–2 vs. ReadingLost Kelly Cup final 1–4 vs. Idaho
2004–05 	American 	South 	2nd 	72 	42 	20 	4 	6 	94 	0.653 	237 	192 	Gerry Fleming 	19 	12 	7 	Won conference quarterfinal 3–1 vs. South CarolinaWon in Conference Semifinal 3–0 vs. GreenvilleWon conference final 4–2 vs. CharlotteLost Kelly Cup final 2–4 vs. Trenton
2005–06 	American 	South 	2nd 	72 	48 	20 	3 	1 	100 	0.694 	267 	208 	Gerry Fleming 	8 	4 	4 	Won division semifinal 3–1 vs. GreenvilleLost division final 1–3 vs. Gwinnett
2006–07 	American 	South 	1st 	72 	44 	22 	4 	2 	94 	0.653 	272 	212 	Gerry Fleming 	16 	10 	6 	Won division semifinal 3–0 vs. CharlotteWon division final 4–2 vs. TexasLost conference final 3–4 vs. Dayton
2007–08 	American 	South 	4th 	72 	39 	25 	4 	4 	86 	0.597 	230 	198 	Gerry Fleming 	3 	0 	3 	Lost division quarterfinal 0–3 vs. Columbia
2008–091	American 	South 	1st 	71 	49 	17 	2 	3 	103 	0.725 	269 	187 	Malcolm Cameron	11 	6 	5 	Won division semifinal 4–1 vs. GwinnettLost division final 2–4 vs. South Carolina
2009–10 	American 	South 	3rd 	72 	38 	25 	4 	5 	85 	0.590 	234 	221 	Malcolm Cameron	9 	3 	6 	Won conference quarterfinal 3–2 vs. ElmiraLost conference semifinal 0–4 vs. Reading
2010–11 	Eastern 	South 	3rd 	72 	37 	30 	1 	4 	79 	0.549 	236 	222 	Greg Poss 	4 	1 	3 	Lost conference quarterfinal 1–3 vs. Kalamazoo
2011–12 	Eastern 	South 	3rd 	72 	39 	26 	2 	5 	85 	0.590 	260 	218 	Greg Poss 	18 	15 	3 	Won conference quarterfinal 3–0 vs. GreenvilleWon conference semifinal 4–1 vs. ElmiraWon conference final 4–1 vs. KalamazooWon Kelly Cup final 4–1 vs. Las Vegas
2012–13 	Eastern 	South 	2nd 	72 	39 	22 	4 	7 	89 	0.618 	260 	241 	Greg Poss 	13 	7 	6 	Won conference quarterfinal 4–2 vs. ElmiraLost conference semifinal 3–4 vs. Reading
2013–14 	Eastern 	South 	4th 	72 	37 	27 	3 	5 	82 	0.569 	240 	222 	Greg Poss 	Did not qualify for 2014 Kelly Cup playoffs 	Did not qualify for 2014 Kelly Cup playoffs 	Did not qualify for 2014 Kelly Cup playoffs 	Did not qualify for 2014 Kelly Cup playoffs
2014–15 	Eastern 	East 	1st 	72 	49 	16 	2 	5 	105 	0.729 	267 	208 	Greg Poss 	12 	6 	6 	Won division semifinal 4–2 vs. OrlandoLost division final 2–4 vs. South Carolina
2015–16 	Eastern 	South 	2nd 	72 	46 	23 	1 	2 	95 	.660 	226 	175 	Greg Poss 	6 	2 	4 	Lost conference quarterfinals 2–4 vs. Wheeling
2016–17 	Eastern 	South 	1st 	72 	46 	21 	2 	3 	97 	.674 	275 	219 	Brad Ralph 	12 	5 	7 	Won division semifinal 4–3 vs. OrlandoLost division final 1–4 vs. South Carolina
2017–18 	Eastern 	South 	1st 	72 	53 	13 	2 	4 	112 	.778 	261 	171 	Brad Ralph 	21 	15 	6 	Won division semifinal 4–0 vs. AtlantaWon division final 4–1 vs. OrlandoWon conference final 4–1 vs. AdirondackLost Kelly Cup final 3–4 vs. Colorado
2018–19 	Eastern 	South 	1st 	72 	50 	16 	5 	1 	106 	.736 	276 	181 	Brad Ralph 	16 	9 	7 	Won division semifinal 4–2 vs. JacksonvilleWon division final 4–1 vs. OrlandoLost conference final 1–4 vs. Newfoundland
2019–202	Eastern 	South 	— 	62 	43 	13 	4 	2 	92 	.742 	227 	156 	Brad Ralph 	Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic	Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic	Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic	Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 	Eastern 	— 	1st 	69 	42 	19 	5 	3 	92 	.667 	233 	193 	Brad Ralph 	5 	2 	3 	Lost conference semifinal 2–3 vs. South Carolina
2021–22 	Eastern 	South 	1st 	72 	42 	20 	6 	4 	94 	.653 	243 	187 	Brad Ralph 	20 	16 	4 	Won division semifinal 4–2 vs. GreenvilleWon division final 4–0 vs. JacksonvilleWon conference final 4–1 vs. Newfoundland
Won Kelly Cup Final 4–1 vs. Toledo
2022–23 	Eastern 	South 	4th 	72 	38 	25 	4 	5 	85 	.590 	225 	213 	Brad Ralph 	22 	16 	6 	Won division semifinal 4–2 vs. South CarolinaWon division final 4–2 vs. JacksonvilleWon conference final 4–2 vs. NewfoundlandWon Kelly Cup final 4–0 vs. Idaho
2023–24 	Eastern 	South 	3rd 	72 	40 	23 	7 	2 	89 	.618 	224 	186 	Brad Ralph 	12 	8 	4 	Won division semifinal 4–3 vs. JacksonvilleWon division final 4–1 vs. OrlandoWon Conference final 0–0 vs.Adirondack Won Kelly Cup Final 4-1 vs Kansas City
Totals 	Totals 	Totals 	 	1,854 	1,106 	559 	69 	120 	2,401 	.648 	6,413 	5298 	— 	268 	157 	111 	25
Playoff Appearances
1 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.
2 The 2019–20 ECHL season was suspended on March 12, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rest of the season was cancelled on March 14, 2020.
==Players==
===Current roster===
Updated April 2024.
===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
25 	John McCarron 	C 	2009–2023	May 14, 2022
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.
===Notable players ===
Florida Everblades alumni that advanced to play in the NHL after playing for the club:
* Mike Angelidis 
* Keith Aucoin 
* Clark Bishop
* Patrick Bordeleau 
* Eric Boulton 
* David Brine 
* Brett Carson 
* Scott Darling
* Kristers Gudlevskis 
* Matt Hendricks
* Hayden Hodgson
* Tanner Jeannot 
* Ty Jones 
* Anton Khudobin
* Connor Knapp 
* Greg Koehler 
* Greg Kuznik 
* Drew Larman 
* Chad LaRose 
* Martin Lojek
* Steven Lorentz 
* Brett Lysak
* Jeff Malott 
* Eric Manlow 
* Kenndal McArdle 
* Jason Morgan 
* Alex Nedeljkovic
* Tommy Novak
* Doug O'Brien 
* Ryan O'Byrne 
* Justin Peters 
* Justin Shugg
* Cole Smith 
* Dalton Smith
* Jared Staal
* Mark Stuart 
* Damian Surma 
* Brody Sutter
* Rob Zepp 
Florida Everblades that played in the NHL before playing with the team:
* Akim Aliu
* Ken Appleby
* Justin Auger
* Chris Beckford-Tseu 
* Brad Brown 
* Kevin Brown 
* Barry Brust
* Brett Bulmer
* Mike Card 
* Brad Church 
* Matt Corrente 
* Kevin Czuczman
* Trevor Daley
* Stefan Della Rovere
* Nicolas Deschamps
* Jon DiSalvatore
* David Dziurzynski
* Brad Fast 
* Paul Healey
* Riku Helenius
* Shane Hnidy
* Brayden Irwin 
* Bryce Lampman
* Nick Lappin 
* Pat MacLeod
* Tom McCollum
* Grant McNeill
* Mike Morrison 
* Kevin Quick 
* Brian Rafalski 
* Remi Royer
* Richard Shulmistra 
* Matthew Spiller
* Nick Tarnasky 
* Kris Vernarsky 
* Allen York 
==Franchise records and leaders==
=== All-time franchise record holders===
* Games Played: Mathieu Roy - 374
*Goals: John McCarron - 152
*Assists: John McCarron - 212
*Points: John McCarron - 364
* Power play goals: Mathieu Roy - 40
*Penalty minutes: Mathieu Roy - 560
*Goaltender Games Played: Marc Magliarditi - 139
* Goaltender Wins: Marc Magliarditi - 81
*Goaltender Goals against average (Min 15 games): Tyler MacKay - 1.92
*Goaltender Save percentage (Min 15 games): Anthony Peters - .934
===Individual records and streaks===
Individual records
*Most goals - game: 4 (5 times, last by John McCarron, Dec. 3, 2016 vs. Orlando)
*Most assists - game: 4 (12 times, last by Brandon Fortunato, Dec. 18, 2019 vs. Atlanta)
*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))
===ECHL Hall of Fame ===
Former Florida Everblades goalie Marc Magliarditi was inducted into the ECHL's Hall of Fame on January 23, 2013. Magliarditi played for the Everblades from 1998 through 2001.
Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush was 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 five times, in 2004, 2005, 2012, 2018 and 2022. 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 but lost the Kelly Cup to the Idaho Steelheads. In 2005, the Gingher trophy was given to the American Conference champion. The Everblades beat the Charlotte Checkers 4–2 to win the conference before losing to the Trenton Titans in the Cup finals. In 2012, the Everblades won the Gingher Memorial Trophy by defeating the Kalamazoo Wings 4–1 in the Eastern Conference finals and went on to win the Kelly Cup over the Las Vegas Wranglers. In 2018, the Everblades went 12–2 through three rounds of conference playoffs and won the Gingher Memorial Trophy before losing the Kelly Cup in seven games to the Colorado Eagles. In 2022, the Everblades went 12–3 through three rounds of conference playoffs and won the Gingher Memorial Trophy by defeating the Newfoundland Growlers 4–1 in the Eastern Conference finals and went on to win the Kelly Cup in five games against the Toledo Walleye.
===Brabham Cup===
In the 1999–00, 2008–09, 2017–18, and 2020–21 seasons, the Everblades won the Brabham Cup, a trophy given to the team that has the best regular season record in the league. The Everblades took the trophy with 108 points in 1999–2000 and 112 points in 2017–18. The 2008–09 and 2020–21 trophies were awarded to the team with the best points percentage due to imbalanced schedules, where the Everblades had 0.725 and 0.667 winning percentages, respectively.
===Kelly Cup===
The Florida Everblades won the Kelly Cup in 2012 taking the series 4 games to 1 over the Las Vegas Wranglers. A decade later, they won the Cup in 2022 in another five game series, defeating the Toledo Walleye 4 games to 1. The Everblades would repeat as champions in 2023 4 games to none over the Idaho Steelheads.
===Individual and Team Honors===
1998–99: John Brophy Award (Bob Ferguson)
1999–00: Brabham CupJohn Brophy Award (Bob Ferguson)Plus Performer Award (Andy MacIntyre)
2000–01: Executive of the Year (Craig Brush)
2003–04: Gingher Memorial Trophy
2004–05: Gingher Memorial TrophyReebok Goaltender of the Year (Chris Madden)
2005–06: Sportsmanship Award (Steve Saviano)Reebok Equipment Manager of the Year (John Jennings)
2008–09: Brabham CupCCM U+ Most Valuable Player (Kevin Baker)Leading Scorer (Kevin Baker)
2011–12: Gingher Memorial TrophyKelly CupKelly Cup Playoff's Most Valuable Player (John Muse)
2012–13: Leading Scorer (Mathieu Roy)
2015–16: ECHL CCM Rookie of the Year (Matt Willows)ECHL Community Service Award (Rob Florentino)
2017–18: Brabham CupGingher Memorial TrophyJohn Brophy Award (Brad Ralph)
2020–21: Brabham CupGoaltender of the Year (Jake Hildebrand)Plus Performer Award (John McCarron)
2021–22: Gingher Memorial TrophyKelly CupKelly Cup Playoff's Most Valuable Player (Cam Johnson)
2022–23: Gingher Memorial TrophyKelly CupKelly Cup Playoff's Most Valuable Player (Cam Johnson)
==References==
==External links==
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Category:ECHL teams
Category:Ice hockey teams in Florida
Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 1998
Category:Carolina Hurricanes minor league affiliates
Category:Florida Panthers minor league affiliates
Category:Nashville Predators minor league affiliates
Category:Tampa Bay Lightning minor league affiliates