close

Blades gear up for season

2 min read

When the Florida Everblades brought in former Texas Wildcatters head coach Malcolm Cameron to replace Gerry Fleming in the offseason, everyone knew there would be wholesale changes to the team.

With the Blades’ training camp under way, the 23-man roster has rounded out, and we now know just how many changes Cameron made.

Just three players from last year’s Blades squad remain — Earnie Hartlieb, Brad Herauf and goaltender David Shantz.

Of the remaining 20 positions, seven were filled by former Wildcatters. Key among those were offensive stars Kevin Baker and Colin Nicholson, and defensive powerhouse A.J. Thelen.

“It’s (Florida) a little different,” said Baker. “Especially with the crowds we will have, but to come in here and be an Everblade … it’s going to be exciting.”

“It’s great,” said Nicholson. “It was a great rivalry we had for the past two years. I love coming into Florida and playing in front of the great fans here. Now it’s great to play on the home team.”

Thelen echoed his teammates from Texas, but added expectations are high.

Hartlieb also is thrilled with his new teammates.

“I love all the guys (from Texas),” said Hartlieb. “I’ve played against them my whole career. They were tough to play against and now that I get to play with them, it’s great.”

Hartlieb is as excited as he ever has been to start a new season, because of the talent assembled on this year’s team.

The Blades training camp wraps up this weekend with two preseason games against the Phoenix Roadrunners at Germain Arena.