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Florida Everblades

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Not to be confused with Florida Everglades.

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 St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League (AHL) starting in the 2024–25 ECHL season. Their home games are played at Hertz Arena.

Florida Everblades
CityEstero, Florida
LeagueECHL
ConferenceEastern
DivisionSouth
Founded1998
Home arenaHertz Arena
ColorsGreen, white, navy blue
     
Owner(s)David Hoffmann
General managerBrad Ralph
Head coachBrad Ralph
MediaWBCN
AffiliatesSt. Louis Blues (NHL)
Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)
Websitewww.floridaeverblades.com
Franchise history
1998–presentFlorida Everblades
Championships
Regular season titles4 (1999–00, 2008–09, 2017–18, 2020–21)
Division titles8 (1999–00, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22)
Conference titles7 (2003–04, 2004–05, 2011–12, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24)
Kelly Cups4 (2011–12, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24)
Current season

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 the Kelly Cup finals, winning in 2012, 2022, 2023, and 2024;[1] the latter three appearances constituted the first three-peat in ECHL history.[2]

History

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Swampee, the mascot of the Florida Everblades

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.[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]

2012 Kelly Cup Finals

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The Everblades celebrate their victory in Game 5 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.[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 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

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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 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 owner Thomas Dundon. After the 2018–19 season, the Everblades dropped the Hurricanes affiliation for the first time and partnered with the Nashville Predators.[11] 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.[12] Starting in the 2022–23 season, the Everblades ended their affiliation with the Predators and entered a multi-year agreement with the Florida 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 the St. Louis Blues.[15]

Logos

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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

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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 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. 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 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. 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
Totals 1,854 1,106 559 69 120 2,401 .648 6,413 5298 — 274 165 114 24

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

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Retired numbers

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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.[16]

Notable players

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

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

Franchise records and leaders

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All-time franchise record holders

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Mathieu Roy of the Everblades and Ryan Murphy of the Charlotte Checkers await a faceoff during a game on March 9, 2009. Roy is wearing the alternate green uniform of the Everblades.

Individual records and streaks

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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))[clarification needed]
  • 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))[18]

ECHL Hall of Fame

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Former Florida Everblades goalie Marc 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 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

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E.A. Gingher Memorial Trophy

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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

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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.[21] 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

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The Florida Everblades won the Kelly Cup in 2012 taking the series 4 games to 1 over the Las Vegas Wranglers.[22] A decade later, they won the Cup in 2022 in another five game series, defeating the Toledo Walleye 4 games to 1.[23] The Everblades would repeat as champions in 2023 4 games to none over the Idaho Steelheads.[24] In 2024, the Everblades became the first team to win three straight Kelly Cups by defeating the Kansas City Mavericks 4 game to 1.[25]

Individual and Team Honors

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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)

References

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  1. ^ "ECHL stats archive". Archived from the original on January 6, 2014.
  2. ^ "Everblades make ECHL history with third straight Kelly Cup title". ECHL. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  3. ^ "The News-Press". The News-Press. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "The ECHL". Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  5. ^ "The ECHL". Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  6. ^ Hauth, Ed (May 23, 2012). "Everblades close out series over Wranglers to win Kelly Cup". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  7. ^ Dewey, Todd (May 23, 2012). "Wranglers fall short of Kelly Cup with Game 5 loss to Florida". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  8. ^ Wommack, Woody (May 23, 2012). "Everblades crowned champions". Naples Daily News. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  9. ^ "Everblades, Germain Arena for sale, but maybe not for long". Naples Daily News. April 30, 2013.
  10. ^ "Team for sale*". Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  11. ^ "ECHL hockey: Florida Everblades switch NHL affiliation to Nashville Predators". Naples News. May 24, 2019.
  12. ^ "Hertz Arena, Everblades being sold to Naples businessman David Hoffmann". Naples Daily News. August 5, 2019.
  13. ^ "Florida Everblades, Florida Panthers Enter Affiliation Agreement". Florida Everblades. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  14. ^ @FL_Everblades (June 13, 2024). "A Message From President Craig Brush:" (Tweet). Retrieved June 14, 2024 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ "Everblades Enter Multi-Year Affiliation Agreement with St. Louis Blues". Florida Everblades. July 10, 2024.
  16. ^ Sodergren, Andrew (October 19, 2012). "Everblades honor Hartlieb, fall flat against Orlando". Naples Daily News. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  17. ^ Halford, Mike (April 5, 2012). "Boston has been the land of opportunity for goalies this season". Pro Hockey Talk. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  18. ^ "Individual Records". Florida Everblades. Archived from the original on October 6, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  19. ^ Hardwig, Greg (December 3, 2012). "Ex-Everblades goalie Marc Magliarditi headed to ECHL Hall". Naples Daily News. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  20. ^ "Marc Magliarditi Career Stats". HockeyDB. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  21. ^ "Premier 'AA' Hockey League | ECHL Stats Archive". The Echl. October 8, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  22. ^ "Everblades capture Kelly Cup". Sports Illustrated. May 23, 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  23. ^ "Florida Wins 2022 Kelly Cup Title". ECHL.com. June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  24. ^ "Florida wins 2023 Kelly Cup title". www.echl.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  25. ^ "HISTORY MADE; EVERBLADES WIN THIRD STRAIGHT KELLY CUP". Florida Everblades. June 8, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "John Brophy Award Winners". ECHL. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  27. ^ a b "Bob Ferguson Career Stats". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  28. ^ a b "Brabham Cup Champions". ECHL. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  29. ^ "Plus Performer Winners". ECHL. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  30. ^ "Andy MacIntyre Career Stats". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  31. ^ "Executive of the Year Winners". ECHL. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  32. ^ a b "Gingher Trophy Winners". ECHL. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  33. ^ "Reebok Goaltender of the Year Winners". ECHL. Archived from the original on July 20, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  34. ^ "Sportsmanship Award Winners". ECHL. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  35. ^ "Steve Saviano Career Stats". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  36. ^ "Reebok Equipment Manager of the Year Award Winners". ECHL. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  37. ^ "Florida's Baker Is CCM U+ ECHL Most Valuable Player". ECHL. April 9, 2009. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
  38. ^ "Kevin Baker Career Stats". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  39. ^ "Florida claims Eastern Conference title". ECHL (Press Release). Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  40. ^ Dorsey, David (May 24, 2012). "MVP John Muse saves the day for Everblades". Fort Myers News-Press. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  41. ^ "FLORIDA'S HILDEBRAND NAMED WARRIOR HOCKEY/ECHL GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR". ECHL. June 10, 2021.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Florida Everblades.
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

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