Florida Everblades
| Florida Everblades | |
|---|---|
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| City | Estero, Florida |
| League | ECHL |
| Conference | Eastern Conference |
| Division | South Division |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Home arena | Germain Arena |
| Colors | Navy blue, green and white |
| Owner(s) | Peter Karmanos |
| General manager | Craig Brush |
| Head coach | Greg Poss |
| Media | Alex Reed |
| Affiliates | Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) Charlotte Checkers and Syracuse Crunch (AHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 1998–present | Florida Everblades |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | 1999–00, 2008–09 |
| Division Championships | 1999–00, 2006–07, 2008–09 |
| Conference Championships | 2003–04, 2004–05, 2011-12 |
| Kelly Cups | 2011-12 |
The Florida Everblades are a minor-league ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play in Estero, Florida at Germain Arena. They are the ECHL affiliate of the AHL's Syracuse Crunch and Charlotte Checkers, and the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes. The Everblades have not missed the playoffs in fourteen seasons, and have made three appearances in the Kelly Cup Finals. The franchise has finished first in the league in attendance five times, and never lower than fourth.[1] The Florida Everblades are the current ECHL Champions.[2]
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History[edit]
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.[3] Brandon MacLean scored the Championship-winning-goal in overtime during Game 5.[2] Everblades goaltender, John Muse, was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2012 Kelly Cup Playoffs.[4]
2005 Playoff brawl[edit]
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, and Barch ended up punching Everblades goalie Tyler Mackay. O'Connell jumped on top of Barch, and all the players on the ice dropped the gloves for a wild line brawl that saw Florida goalie Tyler 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 2 featured no fights as the Everblades won in overtime, 3-2.
2004 American Conference Finals[edit]
In Game 5 in the 2004 American Conference Finals, the Everblades faced the Reading Royals the final game of an epic series. Florida won the first 2 games at home, but Reading evened the series at home, the next 2 of the best-of-five series. In Game 5, the score was tied at the end of regulation, 2-2, so the game was sent to overtime. Jon McNabb of the Everblades scored on a breakaway goal to defeat the Royals in front of a record crowd of 7,080 fans at Germain Arena.
2012 Kelly Cup Finals, Game 5[edit]
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 Ratchuck, 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 in the overtime, after Ryan Donald passed to Matt Beca, who in turn sent the puck to Brandon MacLean, MacLean beat Fallon and secured the victory.[8]
The win earned Florida the Kelly Cup victory, and secured a perfect home record of 11-0 in the postseason (2 victories over Greenville, 3 each over Elmira, Kalamazoo, and Las Vegas). Additionally, John Muse earned the Kelly Cup Finals MVP award.
Logos[edit]
Through the Everblades' history, they have had three anniversary logos—the 5th anniversary logo used in 2002-03, the 10th anniversary logo used in 2007-08, and the 15th anniversary logo used in 2012-13.
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5th anniversary
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10th anniversary
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15th anniversary
Current roster[edit]
Updated April 16, 2013.[9]
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| Title | STAFF MEMBER | |||||
| Head Coach | Greg Poss | |||||
| Assistant Coach | Brad Tapper | |||||
| Athletic Trainer | Steve Ruhmel | |||||
| Equipment Manager | John Sellars | |||||
Awards and trophies[edit]
E.A. Gingher Memorial Trophy[edit]
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 trophy again, 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[edit]
In the 1999–2000 and 2008-2009 seasons, the Everblades won the Brabham Cup. This trophy is given to the team that has the most points in the entire league. The Everblades took the trophy with 108 points in '99-'00, and 103 points in '08-'09.[10]
Kelly Cup[edit]
The Florida Everblades won the 2011-2012 ECHL Championship, which earned them the Kelly Cup.[11]
2013[edit]
In April, 2013 owner Peter Karmanos announced he would be selling the team to simplify things.
Records[edit]
Season-by-season record[edit]
| Season | Conference | Division | Regular Season | Post Season Result | Individual & team honors | |||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | Pct | GF | GA | Coach | |||||
| 1998-99 | Southern | Southeast | 70 | 45 | 20 | 0 | 5 | 95 | 0.679 | 253 | 180 | Bob Ferguson | Won Conference Quarterfinals 3-0 vs. Birmingham Lost Conference Semifinals 0-3 vs. Mississippi |
John Brophy Award (Bob Ferguson)[12][13] |
| 1999-00 | Southern | Southeast | 70 | 53 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 108 | 0.771 | 277 | 181 | Bob Ferguson | Lost Conference Quarterfinals 2-3 vs. Augusta | Brabham Cup[14] John Brophy Award (Bob Ferguson)[12][13] |
| 2000-01 | Southern | Southeast | 72 | 38 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 84 | 0.583 | 236 | 242 | Bob Ferguson | Lost Conference Quarterfinals 2-3 vs. Pee Dee | Executive of the Year (Craig Brush)[17] |
| 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 Quarterfinals 2-3 vs. Greenville |
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| 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 Semifinals 3-2 vs. Roanoke Won Division Finals 3-0 vs. South Carolina Won Conference Finals 3-2 vs. Reading Lost Kelly Cup Finals 1-4 vs. Idaho |
Gingher Memorial Trophy[18] |
| 2004-05 | American | South | 72 | 42 | 20 | 4 | 6 | 94 | 0.653 | 237 | 192 | Gerry Fleming | Won in Conference Quarterfinals 3-1 vs. South Carolina Won in Conference Semifinals 3-0 vs. Greenville Won in Conference Finals 4-2 vs. Charlotte Lost in Kelly Cup Finals 2-4 vs. Trenton |
Gingher Memorial Trophy[18] Reebok Goaltender of the Year (Chris Madden)[19] |
| 2005-06 | American | South | 72 | 48 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 100 | 0.694 | 267 | 208 | Gerry Fleming | Won Division Semifinals 3-1 vs. Greenville Lost Division Finals 1-3 vs. Charlotte |
Sportsmanship Award (Steve Saviano)[20][21] Reebok Equipment Manager of the Year (John Jennings)[22] |
| 2006-07 | American | South | 72 | 44 | 22 | 4 | 2 | 94 | 0.653 | 272 | 212 | Gerry Fleming | Won Divisional Semifinals 3-0 vs. Charlotte Won Divisional Finals 4-2 vs. Texas Lost Conference Finals 3-4 vs. Dayton |
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| 2007-08 | American | South | 72 | 39 | 25 | 4 | 4 | 86 | 0.597 | 230 | 198 | Gerry Fleming | Lost in Division Quarterfinals 0-3 vs. Columbia | |
| 2008-09 | American | South | 71 | 49 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 103 | 0.725 | 269 | 187 | Malcolm Cameron | Won Division Semifinals 4-1 vs. Gwinnett Lost Division Finals 2-4 vs. South Carolina |
Brabham Cup[14] CCM U+ Most Valuable Player (Kevin Baker)[23] Leading Scorer (Kevin Baker)[24] |
| 2009-10 | American | South | 72 | 38 | 25 | 4 | 5 | 85 | 0.590 | 234 | 221 | Malcolm Cameron | Won Conference Quarterfinals 3-2 vs. Elmira Lost Conference Semifinals 0-4 vs. Reading |
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| 2010-11 | American | South | 72 | 37 | 30 | 1 | 4 | 79 | 0.549 | 236 | 222 | Greg Poss | Lost Conference Quarterfinals 1-3 vs. Kalamazoo | |
| 2011-12 | American | South | 72 | 39 | 26 | 2 | 5 | 85 | 0.590 | 260 | 218 | Greg Poss | Won Conference Quarterfinals 3-0 vs. Greenville Won Conference Semifinals 4-1 vs. Elmira Won Conference Finals 4-1 vs. Kalamazoo Won Kelly Cup Finals 4-1 vs. Las Vegas |
Gingher Memorial Trophy[25] Kelly Cup[2] Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player (John Muse)[26] |
| 2012-13 | American | South | 72 | 39 | 22 | 4 | 7 | 89 | 0.618 | 260 | 241 | Greg Poss | Won Conference Quarterfinals 4-2 vs. Elmira Lost Conference Semifinals 3-4 vs. Reading |
Leading Scorer (Mathieu Roy) |
| Totals | 1075 | 620 | 343 | 28 | 84 | 3716 | 3187 | 78-61 in playoffs | 1 Kelly Cup 2 Brabham Cups 3 Gingher Memorial Trophies 2 John Brophy Awards 7 individual player awards 2 off-ice personnel awards |
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- NOTE: The 2008-09 team played 71 games because of scheduling changes caused by two teams ceasing operations in December 2008. Four of the five teams (Florida, Charlotte, South Carolina, Mississippi) played 71 games, with Gwinnett playing 72.
Notable Players[edit]
24 players have played for both the Everblades and a NHL team at some point in their careers.[27] They are:
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All-time recordholders[edit]
- Games: Ernie Hartlieb - 341
- Goals: Reggie Berg - 145
- Assists: Tom Buckley - 207
- Points: Reggie Berg - 319
- Power play goals: Kevin Baker and Ernie Hartlieb (tie) - 33
- Penalty minutes: Tom Buckley - 422
- Goaltending games: Marc Magliarditi - 139
- Goaltending wins: Marc Magliarditi - 81
- Goals against average (Min 15 games): Tyler MacKay - 1.92
- Goaltending save percentage (Min 15 games): Tyler MacKay - .928[29]
Individual records and stresks[edit]
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 (2 times, last by Zepp, Dec. 27, 2003 at Gwinnett (1st))
Individual streaks
- Consecutive game goal scoring streak: 9 (Keith Anderson (10/18/03 - 11/8/03))
- 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 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))
- Shutout streak: 163:43 (Randy Petruk (11/3/01 - 12/14/01))[30]
Retired numbers[edit]
- Reggie Berg- played with Blades from 1999–2007, sweater # 10 is retired.
- Tom Buckley- played with Blades from 1999–2004, sweater # 14 is retired.
- Ernie Hartlieb- played with the Blades from 2004-2011, sweater # 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.[31]
Hall of fame players[edit]
In December, 2012, the ECHL announced that former Everblade goalie Marc Magliarditi, along with Dave Craievich, Steve Poapst and Darren Schwartz, would be inducted into the ECHL's hall of fame on January 23, 2013.[32] Magliarditi played for the Everblades from 1998 through 2001.[33]
References[edit]
- ^ "ECHL stats archive".
- ^ a b c http://www.echl.com/everblades-capture-kelly-cup-with-3-2-overtime-win-p177605
- ^ http://www.news-press.com/article/20120523/SS18/120523031/Florida-Everblades-win-Kelly-Cup?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cp
- ^ http://www.echl.com/florida-s-muse-named-most-valuable-player-of-kelly-cup-playoffs-p177606
- ^ 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.
- ^ "floridaeverblades.com: Roster". Retrieved 2012-03-07.
- ^ "Premier 'AA' Hockey League | ECHL Stats Archive". The Echl. 2010-10-08. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
- ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/hockey/nhl/wires/05/23/2040.ap.hko.echl.kelly.cup.0156/
- ^ a b "John Brophy Award Winners". ECHL. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ a b "Bob Ferguson Career Stats". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ a b "Brabham Cup Champions". ECHL. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ "Plus Performer Winners". ECHL. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ "Andy MacIntyre Career Stats". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ "Executive of the Year Winners". ECHL. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ a b "Gingher Trophy Winners". ECHL. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ "Reebok Goaltender of the Year Winners". ECHL. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ "Sportsmanship Award Winners". ECHL. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ "Steve Saviano Career Stats". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ "Reebok Equipment Manager of the Year Award Winners". ECHL. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ "Florida's Baker Is CCM U+ ECHL Most Valuable Player". ECHL. April 9, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-10. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
- ^ "Kevin Baker Career Stats". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ "Florida claims Eastern Conference title". ECHL. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
- ^ Dorsey, David (24 May 2012). "MVP John Muse saves the day for Everblades". Fort Myers News-Press. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ^ "ECHL Alumni". ECHL. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ Halford, Mike (5 Apr 2012). "Boston has been the land of opportunity for goalies this season". Pro Hockey Talk. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ "Everblades All-Time Player Records". Florida Everblades. Retrieved 3 May 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.
External links[edit]
- The official Florida Everblades website
- The Official ECHL Web Site
- The Charlotte Checkers, AHL Affiliates to the Everblades
- The Norfolk Admirals, AHL Affiliates to the Everblades
- The Carolina Hurricanes, NHL Affiliates to the Everblades
- Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL Affiliates to the Everblades
- The Plymouth Whalers, OHL Affiliates to the Everblades
- All-Time Everblades Roster
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