ESTERO, Fla. - Florida Everblades General Manager Craig Brush, along with Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach Brad Ralph, announced Tuesday they have agreed to terms defenseman Ben Masella for the 2022-23 season.Masella, 29, enters his fifth season with the Blades. He tallied four goals and 24 assists in 58 games during the 2021-22 season and finished the regular season with five multi-point games. In the Kelly Cup Playoffs, the alternate captain played in all 20 games and tallied two goals and three assists.In an Everblades jersey, Masella has appeared in 213 games, registering 98 points on 18 goals and 80 assists and led the ECHL during the 2019-20 campaign with a +40 rating.Before joining the Blades in 2018, Masella skated with the Adirondack Thunder and Worcester Railers of the ECHL. Collectively, Masella tallied three goals and 19 assists in 69 regular season games. The Railers made the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs, during which Masella played six games.Prior to the start of his professional career, Masella played for St. Lawrence University from 2013-17. In his senior season, he served as an alternate captain and ranked third on the team in blocked shots with 38. Masella totaled four goals and 20 assists during his time with the Saints.Highlighted by the raising of the 2022 Kelly Cup Championship banner, the Everblades 25th Anniversary home opener is Saturday, October 29 at 7:00pm against the Jacksonville Icemen at Hertz Arena.
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