ESTERO, FL – With the exciting Stanley Cup finals over only hours ago, the Florida Everblades are already charting their course for the upcoming 2010-2011 season.  The new season will be the 13^th for the Florida Everblades.  They have come close to winning the cup several times.  Will this year be “lucky thirteen” for them?  Watch, wait and see…

At this time, there has been no replacement named as coach for the Everblades.  Former coach, Malcolm Cameron, resigned at the end of the 2009-2010 season.  He has accepted a position as coach for the Elmira Jackals, also of the ECHL.  The Blades are scheduled to play one game against them in Elmira on November 28^th.

The Blades have also announced a number of changes in their organization.  Most notable is the return of Kevin Reiter to the broadcasting booth and public relations.  John Curtis will return to Sales and Marketing Division in a leadership position after a season in the booth.

Florida will start their season at home at Germain Arena on October 15^th against the Gwinnett Gladiators.  Their regular season will also end at home on April 2^nd against South Carolina.

There are currently nineteen teams in the ECHL.  With the scheduling completed, the Blades were pleased to learn that they will not be on the playing schedule for Christmas weekend this year.

Last season, Florida had some long stretches away from home; the longest was three weeks in duration.  In the new schedule, their longest trip is a six-game trip where they will split games in South Carolina and Greenville. 

President and General Manager Craig Brush said, “Last year we got stuck and had no other options.”

Some of their opponents will be: Greenville (15 games); South Carolina (13 games); Gwinnett (12 games); Cincinnati (8 games).  The Cincinnati Cyclones are the reigning Kelly Cup champions.

The home game breakdown is as follows: Saturday night (12); Friday night (11); Wednesday night (10); Tuesday night (2); Sunday afternoon (1).  All games Monday – Thursday start at 7:30pm.  Starting this season, Saturday night games will now begin at 7:00pm.  The lone Sunday afternoon game will start at 5:00pm.

The full schedule can be viewed on their website at: www.floridaeverblades.com.

Contact the writer at: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com