| Florida Everblades | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Estero, Florida |
| League | ECHL |
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | South |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Home arena | Hertz Arena |
| Colors | Kelly Green, White, Gray |
| Owner(s) | David Hoffmann |
| General manager | Brad Ralph |
| Head coach | Brad Ralph |
| Media | WBCN |
| Affiliates | St. Louis Blues (NHL) Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) |
| Website | www |
| Franchise history | |
| 1998–present | Florida Everblades |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | 4 (1999–00,2008–09,2017–18,2020–21) |
| Division titles | 8 (1999–00,2006–07,2008–09,2014–15,2016–17,2017–18,2018–19,2021–22) |
| Conference titles | 7 (2003–04,2004–05,2011–12,2017–18,2021–22,2022–23,2023–24) |
| Kelly Cups | 4 (2011–12,2021–22,2022–23,2023–24) |
 Current season | |
TheFlorida Everblades are a professional minor leagueice hockey team based inEstero, Florida, in theCape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area. They play in theECHL and are affiliated with theSt. Louis Blues of theNational Hockey League (NHL) and theSpringfield Thunderbirds of theAmerican Hockey League (AHL) since the2024–25 ECHL season. Their home games are played atHertz 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 seven appearances in theKelly Cup finals, winning in 2012, 2022, 2023, and 2024;[1] the latter three appearances constituted the firstthree-peat in ECHL history.[2]
The team was founded in 1998 by Craig Brush,Peter Karmanos Jr., andThomas Thewes and was named based on theFlorida 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 byCarolina Hurricanes ownerPeter Karmanos Jr., who came up with the idea of choosing the Everblades' colors as blue and green, in tribute to theHartford Whalers team that Karmanos moved toRaleigh, North Carolina. The Everblades' inaugural home opener featured apre-game ceremony in which a largealligator was brought onto the ice to pay tribute to the team's name and logo, as well as Florida's vast population ofreptile species. The Everblades won their firstKelly Cup on May 23, 2012, against theLas Vegas Wranglers.[3] Brandon MacLean scored the championship-winning-goal in overtime during game five.[4] Everblades goaltender,John Muse, was named the most valuable player of the 2012 Kelly Cup playoffs.[5]
Florida won the2012 Kelly Cup playoffs with a 4–1 victory at home in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 7,290.[6] The first period sawLas Vegas Wranglers goalie Joe Fallon beaten byJustin Shugg and Mike Ratchuk, but Las Vegas edged back to even the score by the third, with Ash Goldie andPeter MacArthur beatingJohn Muse to force the overtime.[7] At 4:54 into the overtime, after Ryan Donald passed toMatt Beca, who in turn sent the puck to Brandon MacLean, who beat Fallon and secured the victory.[8]
The win earned Florida the 2012 Kelly Cup and secured a perfect home record of 11–0 in the postseason (two victories overGreenville and three each overElmira,Kalamazoo, andLas Vegas). Additionally, John Muse earned the Kelly Cup Finals MVP award.
In April 2013, ownerPeter Karmanos, Jr. announced he would be selling the team along withGermain 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 was being shopped by Park Lane, a sports investment-banking firm that specializes in the sale of sports teams.[10] In 2018, Karmanos gave up majority control of the Hurricanes to new majority ownerThomas Dundon. After the 2018–19 season, the Everblades dropped the Hurricanes affiliation for the first time and partnered with theNashville Predators.[11] It was then announced on August 5, 2019, that Karmanos had sold both the team and arena to David Hoffmann, aNaples, Florida, resident and real estate investor.[12] Starting in the 2022–23 season, the Everblades ended their affiliation with the Predators and entered a multi-year agreement with theFlorida Panthers.[13] On June 13, 2024, team president Craig Brush announced that the team would not be renewing its agreement with the Panthers.[14] On July 10 of that year, the Everblades announced a new multi-year agreement with theSt. Louis Blues.[15]
Through the Everblades' history, they have had five anniversary logos: the fifth anniversary logo in2002–03, the 10th anniversary logo in2007–08, the 15th anniversary logo in2012–13, the 20th anniversary logo in2017–18, and the 25th anniversary logo in2022–23.
| Season | Conference | Division | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | Pct | GF | GA | 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.Birmingham Lost 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 Carolina Lost 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.Roanoke Won Division Finals 3–0 vs. South Carolina Won conference final 3–2 vs.Reading Lost 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 Carolina Won in Conference Semifinal 3–0 vs. Greenville Won conference final 4–2 vs.Charlotte Lost 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. Greenville Lost 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.Charlotte Won division final 4–2 vs.Texas Lost 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. Gwinnett Lost 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.Elmira Lost 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.Greenville Won conference semifinal 4–1 vs. Elmira Won conference final 4–1 vs. Kalamazoo Won 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. Elmira Lost 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 for2014 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.Orlando Lost 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. Orlando Lost 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.Atlanta Won division final 4–1 vs. Orlando Won conference final 4–1 vs.Adirondack Lost 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.Jacksonville Won division final 4–1 vs. Orlando Lost 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 theCOVID-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.Greenville Won division final 4–0 vs. Jacksonville Won 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 Carolina Won division final 4–2 vs. Jacksonville Won conference final 4–2 vs. Newfoundland Won Kelly Cup final 4–0 vs. Idaho |
| 2023–24 | Eastern | South | 3rd | 72 | 40 | 23 | 7 | 2 | 89 | .618 | 224 | 186 | Brad Ralph | 18 | 16 | 7 | Won division semifinal 4–3 vs. Jacksonville Won division final 4–1 vs. Orlando Won conference final 4–2 vs. Adirondack Won Kelly Cup final 4–1 vs.Kansas City |
| 2024–25 | Eastern | South | 2nd | 72 | 49 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 106 | .736 | 241 | 165 | Brad Ralph | 15 | 10 | 5 | Won division semifinal 4–0 vs. Jacksonville Won division final 4–1 vs. Orlando Lost conference final 2–4 vs.Trois-Rivières |
| Totals | 1926 | 1,155 | 574 | 76 | 121 | 2,507 | .648 | 6,654 | 5463 | — | 289 | 175 | 119 | 25 Playoff Appearances | |||
1 The 2008–09 team played 71 games because of scheduling changes caused by theAugusta Lynx andFresno Falcons ceasing operations mid-season. Four of the five teams (Florida, Charlotte, South Carolina, Mississippi) played 71 games, with Gwinnett playing 72.
2The2019–20 ECHL season was suspended on March 12, 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, and the rest of the season was cancelled on March 14, 2020.
| 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 theMississippi 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 ofHurricane 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 theOrlando 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.[16]
Florida Everblades alumni that advanced to play in theNHL after playing for the club:
Florida Everblades that played in theNHL before playing with the team:
Individual records
Individual streaks
Former Florida Everblades goalieMarc Magliarditi was inducted into the ECHL's Hall of Fame on January 23, 2013.[19] Magliarditi played for the Everblades from 1998 through 2001.[20]
Florida Everblades President and General ManagerCraig 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.
The Everblades have won the E.A. Gingher Memorial Trophy five times, in2004,2005,2012,2018 and2022. In 2004, the trophy was given to the champion of the Eastern Conference; the Everblades beat theReading Royals 3–2 to win the conference but lost the Kelly Cup to theIdaho Steelheads. In 2005, the Gingher trophy was given to the American Conference champion. The Everblades beat theCharlotte Checkers 4–2 to win the conference before losing to theTrenton Titans in the Cup finals. In 2012, the Everblades won the Gingher Memorial Trophy by defeating theKalamazoo Wings 4–1 in the Eastern Conference finals and went on to win the Kelly Cup over theLas 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 theColorado Eagles. In 2022, the Everblades went 12–3 through three rounds of conference playoffs and won the Gingher Memorial Trophy by defeating theNewfoundland Growlers 4–1 in the Eastern Conference finals and went on to win the Kelly Cup in five games against theToledo Walleye.
In the 1999–00, 2008–09, 2017–18, and 2020–21 seasons, the Everblades won theBrabham 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.[21] The 2008–09 and 2020–21 trophies were awarded to the team with the bestpoints percentage due to imbalanced schedules, where the Everblades had 0.725 and 0.667 winning percentages, respectively.
The Florida Everblades won theKelly Cup in2012 taking the series 4 games to 1 over theLas Vegas Wranglers.[22] A decade later, they won the Cup in2022 in another five game series, defeating theToledo Walleye 4 games to 1.[23] The Everblades would repeat as champions in2023 4 games to none over theIdaho Steelheads.[24] In 2024, the Everblades became the first team to win three straight Kelly Cups by defeating theKansas City Mavericks 4 game to 1.[25]
1998–99:John Brophy Award (Bob Ferguson)[26][27]
1999–00:Brabham Cup[28]
John Brophy Award (Bob Ferguson)[26][27]
Plus Performer Award (Andy MacIntyre)[29][30]
2000–01: Executive of the Year (Craig Brush)[31]
2003–04: Gingher Memorial Trophy[32]
2004–05: Gingher Memorial Trophy[32]
Reebok Goaltender of the Year (Chris Madden)[33]
2005–06: Sportsmanship Award (Steve Saviano)[34][35]
Reebok Equipment Manager of the Year (John Jennings)[36]
2008–09: Brabham Cup[28]
CCM U+ Most Valuable Player (Kevin Baker)[37]
Leading Scorer (Kevin Baker)[38]
2011–12: Gingher Memorial Trophy[39]
Kelly Cup[4]
Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player (John Muse)[40]
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 Cup
Gingher Memorial Trophy
John Brophy Award (Brad Ralph)
2020–21: Brabham Cup
Goaltender of the Year (Jake Hildebrand)[41]
Plus Performer Award (John McCarron)
2021–22: Gingher Memorial Trophy
Kelly Cup
Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player (Cam Johnson)
2022–23: Gingher Memorial Trophy
Kelly Cup
Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player (Cam Johnson)
2023–24: Gingher Memorial Trophy
Kelly Cup
Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player (Oliver Chau)
| Preceded by | Brabham Cup champions 1990–2000 2011–12 2017–18 2020–21 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Kelly Cup champions 2012 2022,2023,2024 | Succeeded by Reading Royals Incumbent |
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