GAME DAY: Everblades at Newfoundland Growlers

The Florida Everblades begin the 2018-19 regular season with a trip north of the border to face the Newfoundland Growlers on Friday and Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. ET both nights. The season-opening two-game set is also the first two games in franchise history for the Growlers. 

VITALS:

Game 1: Everblades at Newfoundland GrowlersWhen: 5:30 PM ETWhere: Mile One CentreWatch: ECHL.tvListen: WJBX News Talk & MoreSocial: Twitter | #FLAvsNFL

Key notes

• Florida is coming off the best season in its 20-year history after posting a team record 112 points and 53 wins on the way to the second Kelly Cup Finals appearance and the third Brabham Cup Championship in team history.   
• In addition to qualifying for the postseason in 19 of its 20 seasons, the Everblades have captured six division championships and four conference championships. Florida won the 2012 Kelly Cup.   
• The Everblades finished with a 1-1-0 record in the preseason, falling to the Orlando Solar Bears, 5-4, last Friday before earning a 3-1 victory on Saturday against the Solar Bears.   
• Goaltender Jeremy Helvig was strong in his ‘Blades debut, stopping 34 of the 35 shots he faced in the preseason finale last Saturday. Helvig was named to the OHL All-Second team last season and posted the most shutouts in the OHL in the 2016-17 season.   
• Eight players who suited up for the Everblades last season return this season, headlined by leading goal scorer John McCarron, who posted 29 tallies a season ago, and leading rookie scorer Joe Cox, who tabbed 54 points in 70 games.   
• Other returners include forwards Sam Warning (18 GP), Steven Lorentz (62 GP), and Blake Winiecki (4 GP) and defensemen Josh Wesley (8 GP), Logan Roe (54 GP), and Derek Sheppard (10 GP).   
• Both Florida netminders are either under AHL or NHL contracts and are both NHL Draft picks. Helvig is currently under contract with the Carolina Hurricanes after being selected in the 2016 NHL Draft, while Jamie Phillips is under contract with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers and was selected in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets.  
• Florida starts the season with 12 of its first 17 games on the road, including a season-long seven-game road trip from Nov. 14-24.    
• There are eight players on Florida’s current roster who are NHL Draft picks, which include Jordon Southorn, Josh Wesley, Steven Lorentz, Kyle Platzer, John McCarron, Zach Nastasiuk, Helvig and Phillips. Nastasiuk is the highest pick and was selected in the second round, 48th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013 draft.   
• Everblades head coach Brad Ralph is one win shy of 100 regular season victories with the Everblades, a milestone he could reach on opening weekend against Newfoundland. The ‘Blades bench boss has compiled 350 career wins in eight seasons as a head coach across stints in the SPHL, Western Hockey League, and ECHL, posting a career winning percentage of .655. 

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Single-game tickets for all regular season games are on sale now!

Ticket packages for the 2018-19 season are on sale now! Become part of the Everblades Family with a Full Season, Partial Season or a Flexible Voucher Package that fits your schedule and budget! All Ticket & Voucher Packages provide savings and special benefits!  To view the Ticket & Voucher Package options CLICK HERE. Ask about the payment plan options too!

SPECIAL OFFER!  Purchase a new ticket package for the 2018-19 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford’s Garage and an Everblades T-Shirt!

Private Arena Tours are also available to select your 2018-19 season seats! Call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825 to schedule your tour today!