As the Everblades continue to construct their blueprint to success for the 2024-2025 season, Reed Lebster is focused on finding his role as a returning player and contributing wherever he’s needed.
While the upcoming season will be his first full season in the swamp, Lebster looks back at his short experience in Estero as a foundation for what he’s looking to accomplish as a rookie.
“It was tough to come in and jump right into the games, but I feel like I learned a lot that I can take into next year,” said Lebster. “Just getting the two months of experience down there rather than starting fresh next year was huge for me.”
Coming straight out of college and into professional hockey is an adjustment, to say the least. To adapt, Lebster’s off-ice training consists of how he can take what he learned from college and improve it to exceed standards on professional ice.
“It's a more physical league than college hockey was,” he said. “Explosiveness and speed and all that. But [I’ve] just been working hard to get to get stronger and kind of add that more physical side to my game for next year.”
However, Lebster isn't the only college athlete turned pro but shares a similar experience with defenseman Adrian Bisson and Jesse Lansdell who are also soon to be in their rookie year with the Blades.
Along with that, Lebster should have no trouble settling in as his ex-teammate from the University of Massachusetts, Carson Gicewicz, will be joining him as a forward.
“I think [Carson] will be a great addition for the team,” said Lebster. “He was a great player at UMass.”
With Bisson defending the blue line, Lebster, Lasndell and Gicewicz driving the attack, and players such as Logan Lambdin aiming to help integrate new talent, Lebster can build off of this to actively pave his way into a working team dynamic.
Aside from striving to defend the title, Lebster’s main goal is to “just to be a good teammate.”
Not only is this important, but it serves as a catalyst to building team chemistry and embracing Everblades culture, which is crucial to the Blades’ blueprint.
“Obviously looking to have a good season individually, but, you know, just looking to help the team out as much as possible, and like you said, make another run at another championship.”
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