After being away for 3 years with the Maine Mariners, Alex Kile is eager to re-establish himself as a key contributor to the Florida Everblades and help execute championship-winning hockey as part of this season's Blades blueprint.
“I just want to meet the boys and get in the rhythm again, and start winning some games,” said Kile.
Being both fourth in league points and claiming the title of ‘first-team all-star’ with the Mariners last season, Kile is no stranger to success.
"[I just had] so much confidence instilled in me through the coaching staff, that I could just free up and just play,” said Kile. “Once I'm free, I can really play good at this level.”
However, his excitement for the upcoming season exceeds what he wants to generate on the ice as a forward but entails integrating back into Everblades rhythm and embodying the winning culture that runs deep in the swamp.
"The winning culture is what ultimately drove me to Florida,” said Kile. "I look forward to playing in front of a fanbase that, you know, is so passionate, just like they are down here.”
How has the Everblades coaching staff instilled this mindset into his team and their fans?
By handcrafting a roster of players who not only seamlessly mesh but have a collective understanding of what Everblades hockey is: a family.
Unmatched team chemistry has become a natural byproduct of the passion within the franchise and has become a key factor in the Everblades’ previous success, which is something Kile already has a taste of.
"Cam Johnson's my best buddy, since you know, we were young,” he said. "My parents are friends with his mom, and, you know, my brothers are friends with his brothers, It's just like a whole family thing.”
With Kile already ticking boxes in his on-ice efforts, come October we can expect him to naturally fit into the winning team dynamic that Head Coach Brad Ralph has diligently designed.
As far as the offseason goes, Kile is actively working on his mobility and skating to ensure that he is physically prepared to make an impact in the swamp.
"I just want to get in front of the fans and, you know, show them what I can do, and ultimately help the team win games.”
But more importantly, Kile’s ultimate goal for his time in Estero is to use his experience and take on a leadership role to help execute the Blades’ blueprint in revisiting history.
"I feel like that's a goal of mine being one of the older players,” he said. "Being a leader and setting the right example.”
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