ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues and the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds, announced that they have agreed to terms with forward Kyle Betts and traded forwards Reed Lebster and Matthew Wedman to the Utah Grizzlies in exchange for Betts.
Kyle Betts, 27, a native of Flesherton, Ontario, joins the Everblades playing last season with the Grizzlies. Splitting his time between Utah and the AHL’s Belleville Senators, Betts recorded a combined six goals and eight assists for 14 points in 61 regular season contests over four consecutive seasons. He spent five seasons playing Junior hockey for the Grey-Bruce Highlanders, the Waterloo Siskins and the Powell River Kings before transitioning to play four years of collegiate hockey at Cornell University, amassing 17 goals and 31 assists across 125 games.
Reed Lebster, 25, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, leaves the Blades after being a part of the 2023-24 regular season and Kelly Cup roster. Lebster developed his early skills playing four seasons of Junior hockey with the Des Moines Buccaneers and the Fox Motors before moving on to NCAA hockey at both Michigan State University and UMass-Amherst. He recorded 34 goals and 42 assists across 147 games and five seasons prior to launching his professional career with the Blades.
Matthew Wedman, 25, a native of Edmonton, Alberta, heads to Utah after seeing time on the Blades Kelly Cup Playoff roster. Despite having no on-ice appearances in the regular season, Wedman posted five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 23 post-season contests. After launching his professional career with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, he went on to play for seven teams in both the AHL and the ECHL, recording a combined 34 goals and 37 points in over 200 games. Before turning pro, Wedman played six years in the WHL, tallying a total of 211 points in over 300 appearances.
This trade aims to strengthen the Blades’ lineup as they hunt for not only another historic season but another Kelly Cup Title, building on their championship-caliber roster.
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