Everblades roll onto calendar
With winter just around the corner that means season is here. No, not the one involving the mass exodus from north to south – hockey season!
Specifically, for those lucky to call Southwest Florida home, it’s Florida Everblades season.
Yes, it’s that time again: cooler, drier temperatures, long lines at stores and traffic lights, slow drivers in the left lane and hockey in Florida.
After last year’s disappointing season that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time in team history, the Blades are ready to hit the ice again in pursuit of their second Kelly Cup title.
The team has cut ties with many of its longtime players, and is ready to start over.
“Last year is in the past,” said Blades coach Greg Poss. “We kind of knew we had to refresh the deck and bring in some new players. We had a lot of guys that were here for a number of years, who did a good job and won us a championship in 2012, but we believed it was time to make a cut and move on.
“We really started to recruit heavily at Christmas last year and continued that process throughout the summer to make the best decisions and bring the best players here,” Poss said.
More than three-fourths of this year’s squad will be new to the fans. Tops among the returnees is star defenseman Jordan Henry, who most speculate will be wearing the captain’s “C” when team captains are announced before Florida’s opening set of games on Friday and Saturday.
“I think I’m definitely looked upon to be a leader,” Henry said. “There is a group of us older guys that will have to lead the way and show the younger guys what hockey is all about in Florida.”
Last weekend’s preseason games were a good indication of the need for leadership. Friday’s 3-2 loss came as a result of undisciplined play during the third period when most of the veterans were done for the night. Saturday’s 4-1 win was a much more disciplined team with the would-be starters and returning veterans getting more ice time.
Among the new players to watch is Mitch Wahl, who was a teammate of Henry’s in the AHL. Henry is high on having his old teammate back.
“Over the time we’ve been apart he’s really matured as a player,” said Henry. “And I think he is going to be a really big impact player for us this year.”
Other returning players to keep an eye on are forward Evan Bloodoff, whose speed and ability to break down a defense with the puck were on display at the end of last season; and defenseman Cameron Burt, who along with Tyson Gimblett will provide a lot of the physicality required for successful playoff hockey – the ultimate goal for any Everblades season.