Blades Blueprint: Riese Zmolek

Blades Blueprint: Riese Zmolek

By: Camille Frick

Alongside Jordan Sambrook, Riese Zmolek will be returning to the Florida Everblades’ 2024-2025 roster to execute a championship-caliber blue line to make his imprint on the Blades’ blueprint to success.

"We want to win… there’s a lot of guys that could have a [captain’s] letter in that locker room,” he said.  

For Zmolek, this means to “stick to my defensive play style,” which has been proven effective, while simultaneously offering versatility by anticipating the need to generate from any place on the ice.

"Defensemen need to be a little more offensive, so I’ve always tried to work on that part of my game,” said Zmolek.

His initiative to not only generate on the blue line but also his drive to deliver offensively works to recreate the team chemistry that initially sparked history in the swamp.

A crucial aspect of the upcoming season’s lineup.

"[I’m] Just trying to keep growing in my game to do whatever I can to help the team win…” said Zmolek.  

This is the mindset that is prominent in Everblades culture and has been a key point in returning players’ claims to fame— offer versatility and contribute to the demise of opposing strategies.  

With that, Zmolek continues to develop his skills in being an adaptable force on the ice.

Though the roster has evolved, the spirit remains consistent through familiar faces such as Zmolek who were handpicked to contribute to the Blades’ blueprint.