The Everblades Thread

[nccanes]

So, the Blades (with Peters in net) started their exhibition season last night.

Gotta love minor league hockey! :lol: :lol:

The worst fight of the night: hands down when Mississippi's Steve Makway WAITED outside the penalty box to attack Blades d-man Frank MacDonald as he waited to get out. MacDonald had punched Makway's teammate earlier, but MacDonald said that was retaliation for a slash from RiverKings Ryan Kindret.

"I thought we were even," MacDonald said. "But I guess (Makway) didn't."

What was wrong with this fight? Well, MacDonald said he saw Makway waiting, and MacDonald didn't even want to come out of the box. But he said the linesman was beckoning for him to come out, and then the door to the box was opened, and Makway charged right in.

"I have never had anything like that happen to me before," MacDonald said afterwards."

Coach Gerry Fleming, on the other side, said he had seen it before.

"I was probably the one waiting to get in the box," he joked.



Peters made 27 saves on 29 shots

http://www.bonitanews.com/news/2007/oct/12/blades_pull_out_42_fightfilled_exhibition_win/?everblades

[nccanes]

Well, I guess Peters is the #1 goalie for now!

The Everblades will have just one contracted goalie on the roster for Friday's game against the Mississippi Sea Wolves at Germain Arena. Festivities will start at 7:15 p.m., including a video montage prior to retiring Reggie Berg and Tom Buckleys' jerseys. The game will start approximately one half hour after the jersey retirement ceremony.

As of press time, Blades coach Gerry Fleming and general manager Craig Brush were attempting to get a backup goalie to Florida for the game. The starter will be 21-year-old Justin Peters, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect who spent last season with the AHL's Albany River Rats.

The Blades' other goalie, Florida Panthers prospect Tyler Plante, was sent up to the AHL Rochester Americans after Panthers starting goalie Tomas Vokoun injured his ankle on Thursday night. Because Vokoun is out, one of Rochester's goalies will move up to the Panthers as a backup: either Adam Dennis or '06-07 Blades backup David Shantz. Plante will be the top backup in Rochester, leaving the Blades with no backup.

[car3hur]

Well, I guess Peters is the #1 goalie for now!

That's freakin awesome! :D

[nccanes]

I guess Manzato must be healthy enough to sit on the bench.

From the team release: Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush, along with Head Coach Gerry Fleming announced today that the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League have assigned goaltender Daniel Manzato to the Everblades roster.

[nccanes]

Blades win their first two games, Peters in net both times.

Game 1: 25 saves on 26 shots and 1 assist
Game 2: 27 saves on 28 shots and 1 assist

[nccanes]

Blades win their 3rd game (3-0 on the year).

Peters made 48 saves on 49 shots! :eek: (Game went into OT)

[nccanes]

Well, Killer Kowalski got a little revenge on the Blades. Gwinnett beat the Blades last night 3-1 with Justin Peters in the other net.

Killer stopped 20 shots in the first period, lol.

Rematch tonight!

If anyone is interested, the Blades play IN Charlotte on 2/20 and 2/23 (with a trip to Augusta in between....crazy ECHL traveling!)

[nccanes]

Kevin Nastiuk (G) Albany DEL Reassigned by Carolina (NHL) to Florida (ECHL)

[nccanes]

I know I'm one of the few that follow the Blades - for whatever reason, I took in a few games before the lockout, saw more during the lockout, and I even saw one last year at one of their away games.

So don't mind me and my conversation with myself. :lol:

Anyway - the Blades have been a strong team since they entered the ECHL, playoffs every year, Kelly Cup Finals twice (I think). This year is their least experienced team and they are struggling for the first time in awhile (or ever maybe).

Anyway they lost last night with Nastiuk in net (27 saves on 30 shots) and Anthony Battaglia was on the other team (Columbia Inferno) and scored a goal. AB is a former Blade himself.

The Blades have been affected by BOTH their affiliates (us and the Panthers) with a ton of callups. They've used a local men's league goalie as their backup goalie a few times, lol, and have signed on a game to game basis a former Blade, now a Fireman in SW Florida, when they are in a pinch. Such is life in the ECHL I guess.

Two kind of interesting stories have been that Derek Damon, originally signed only to the Blades (not an Albany/Blades signing) was given a tryout with the Rats and was recently signed to a standard AHL contract.

There is another Blade, Mathieu Melanson, who may be another diamond in the rough story (like LaRose). Originally drafted by the Wild, he wasn't signed after his Jr eligibility expired (won a Memorial Cup). He went to college (a Canadian university) and then decided it wasn't for him. Signed with the ECHL Stockton team with great results in the playoffs. With still no NHL/AHL options, he considered going to Europe, but decided he'd play in the ECHL, but only for Gerry Fleming (Blades Coach) who had played with his Dad in Montreal.

Here's a recent NHL.com article about him. His stats are now 32 points in 24 games (good for 7th in the ECHL)

Everblades' Melanson begins anew Brian Compton | NHL.com Staff Writer Dec 5, 2007, 9:00 AM EST

Mathieu Melanson has registered at least one point in 12 consecutive games and leads the Florida Everblades with 26 points.

If the hair-metal group Cinderella contributed anything positive to this world, it’s this: You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.

Mathieu Melanson learned that the hard way.

After a tremendous junior hockey career that culminated with a Memorial Cup championship in 2006, there were changes in Melanson’s life. His junior eligibility was up, and the Minnesota Wild, who drafted him in the eighth round of the 2003 NHL Draft, declined to offer him a contract.

Melanson decided to give college hockey a try, as he found himself at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. Despite tallying 11 points in nine games, Melanson was unhappy. He gave up the game he loved.

But the game wasn’t ready to give up on Melanson. The son of former NHL goaltender Roland Melanson, he spent one restless evening after another before opting to give hockey another chance.

“I just missed it,” Melanson said. “It felt like I was too young to stop playing. Every night going to bed, it felt like I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to do. When you lose something and you miss it, sometimes that’s the best way to realize what you want.”

The 22-year-old joined up with the Stockton Thunder late last season, and paid immediate dividends. In just 17 games, the right wing compiled 14 goals and 12 assists, helping the team reach the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Offers from Europe were aplenty over the summer, but Melanson figured that if he signed to play overseas, he’d be surrendering his dream of one day playing in the NHL. He wanted to stay in North America – and, more importantly, play somewhere he would be comfortable on and off the ice.



Enter Gerry Fleming’s Florida Everblades.

Now in his seventh season behind the bench in the Sunshine State, Fleming has known Melanson for more than decade, as the Everblades coach was friendly with Roland Melanson when both were playing in the Montreal Canadiens’ organization more than a decade ago. The young Melanson asked the Stockton Thunder to deal him to Florida, and Stockton obliged in an Oct. 5 deal.

“Actually, it’s one of the only places I would have played,” Melanson said. “I wanted to come play for Gerry. I had offers in Europe. I was leaning toward that route unless Gerry could swing something to get me from Stockton, and he was able to. I was very fortunate and thankful to get an opportunity to come play here.”

“If my goal wasn’t to play in the NHL someday, I’d be in Europe right now,” he added. “I wanted to play another year in the ECHL to prove that I can one day play in the NHL. I’m hoping that it will come along. It’s been my dream since I was a little kid. Hopefully my play opens doors this year.”

Fleming is more than happy to have him. Not only did he acquire a player he’s known for more than 10 years, but one who was less than two years removed from scoring 25 goals in 23 playoff games for the Quebec Remparts.

“I’ve known him for a long time,” Fleming said. “He’s a very emotional guy. He tells you what he’s feeling and he wears his heart on his sleeve. He was a big factor in Quebec’s run when they won the Memorial Cup. He’s a pretty good hockey player.”

The move has benefited both sides. Melanson has flourished under Fleming and currently is one of the ECHL’s hottest players. He has registered at least one point in 12 consecutive games – the league’s best streak – and leads the Everblades with 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists). His play has helped Florida get off to a 13-6-0 start.

“You play hockey to win games … that’s why everybody plays,” Melanson said. “It’s a team sport. Your first goal is always to win. When you can have personal success at the same time, it doesn’t get any better than that. Right now, it’s a great feeling around here. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

While the Everblades certainly would like to see Melanson continue his torrid scoring pace, Fleming said his main responsibility is to make sure the rookie forward becomes a solid two-way player. In the long run, Melanson’s defensive game likely will decide how far he goes in his professional career.

So far, Fleming likes what he sees.

“He’s playing really well,” Fleming said. “When he first came here, we talked about being smart and playing well without the puck and adding that to his game. He’s just a gifted goal scorer that knows when he’s in a certain area how to put it in the net. But we challenged him to play without the puck if he wanted to move on to the next level, and he’s really played well without the puck.”

Regardless of what happens, Melanson won’t have to worry about disappointing his father. Mathieu says the three-time Stanley Cup champion never pressured him to play hockey.

“My dad was a goalie; he was his own person, his own player,” Melanson said. “I haven’t had the comparisons too much growing up. I can’t say there’s been any pressure. My dad has always let us make our own choices.”

That’s obvious, considering he’s as far away from his father’s position as possible on the ice.

“I tried it when I was young, and it wasn’t for me,” Melanson said of being a goalie. “I’d rather shoot on net than get shot on.”

It’s certainly worked out to this point. And now that Fleming has rewarded Melanson with a chance to play on the top line in Florida, Melanson would like to repay his coach the best way he knows how.

“Gerry’s been here (almost) 10 years now, and he’s never won a Kelly Cup,” Melanson said. “It’d be nice to win that for him. I think we’ve got a good team here and we’ve got a chance. I’m not focusing necessarily on personal stats.”

[Guyute]

You may be talking to yourself... but I have been listening. ;) LOL
thanks for the update(s).

[SoCalcaniac]

I've been listening with Guy, E. ;) I know you've kept up with them since the old Cold War-- tee hee...

GREAT story. This is why we follow hockey; there's always a good story. Thanks for posting!

[Canesluver]

Thanks, E. I don't think of you as "talking to yourself"-- more like you're giving a lecture in a large lecture hall, and there's no time for questions!!

They've been great lectures!! :beatup:

[Canesluver]

Here's some news about the ECHL All-Star game. :D

Peters, Manzato get ECHL All-Star nods (http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/index.php/canes?title=peters_manzato_get_echl_all_star_nods&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1)
In a slightly odd twist of fate, two Carolina goalie prospects could end up playing each other in the ECHL All-Star Game.
Daniel Manzato was named to the National Conference team, playing for Las Vegas, while Justin Peters was named to the American Conference team, playing for Florida.
(The American Conference starter is former Hurricanes prospect Craig Kowalski.)
Meanwhile, Keith Aucoin will serve as captain for the Planet USA team at the AHL All-Star Game. You have to figure Michael Leighton will be named an AHL All-Star as well.

Way to go, kids!!

So, NCC-- you don't have to talk to yourself today!! :lol:

[nccanes]

Peters wins his first game back with the Blades last night. A Shootout win. He stopped 49 of 53 shots!!

And my little diamond in the rough guy, Melanson, was loaned to the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, so good for him!

[nccanes]

And this might flush out some comments. :lol: (though it's not really funny)

Minor league hockey player arrested after alleged in-flight fight
8 hours ago

DALLAS - A minor league hockey player was arrested after allegedly slapping a flight attendant, head-butting a passenger and exposing himself on an American Airlines flight from Toronto to Dallas.

FBI agents arrested David Cornacchia on Thursday at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on a federal charge of interfering with a flight crew.

The incident was first reported Friday night by Dallas TV station KTVT.

Cornacchia plays for the Florida Everblades, a team in the ECHL based in Fort Myers, Fla. The Everblades beat the host Mississippi Sea Wolves 5-4 Friday in a shootout.

The team's general manager did not immediately return a phone message left by The Associated Press. The AP could not reach Cornacchia for comment.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Dallas, Cornacchia became angry with a flight attendant after he was refused a third alcoholic drink. Cornacchia slapped the male flight attendant with an open hand, a detail confirmed by American Airlines.

Cornacchia began cursing at other passengers and exposed himself to them, according to the affidavit. Flight attendants and an assisting passenger then secured Cornacchia's hands behind his back with plastic restraints and belted him into a seat. Cornacchia head-butted the passenger who was helping restrain him, according to the affidavit.

The pilot declared an on-board emergency and was granted a direct approach to the airport by air traffic control in Dallas, according to the affidavit.

According to the affidavit, Cornacchia told FBI agents he drank seven or eight alcoholic beverages on the day of the incident.


Dudeman is in deep ****.

[Canesluver]

Good god!! Not good.

[nccanes]

I believe he was headed to meet up with the Blades in their first post-xmas game in MS. Huge mistake and certainly this guy is a nasty drunk, huh?

[puck_it]

please tell me he's a goalie.

[nccanes]

Nope not a goalie.

His attorney is a Blades STH and the one I mentioned is defending one of Sean Taylor's accused murderers.

Nice that he decided his alcohol needs were more important than an ongoing medical emergency on board. Rough day for the flight crew!


Everblades player accused of assault on plane
By RYAN LENGERICH
rlengerich@news-press.com
Originally posted on December 29, 2007

Federal authorities have accused a Florida Everblades defenseman of slapping a flight attendant in the face, intimidating flight staff and exposing himself to nearby passengers after being refused alcoholic drinks on a Thursday flight from Toronto to Dallas.

The FBI filed a criminal complaint on Friday against David Michael Cornacchia for interfering with flight crew members. Federal authorities processed him when the flight landed and ordered him to meet with a probation officer next week, said Cornacchia’s Fort Myers-based attorney Michael Hornung.

Cornacchia, a 5-foot-11-inch, 200 pound defenseman, joined the Everblades on Oct. 18.

He was returning from a family visit in Toronto where he resides. He had a layover in Dallas on his way to Biloxi, Miss. to join the team for Friday’s game.

Hornung said Cornacchia is in Dallas searching for a flight to Pensacola in time for tonight’s 7:05 game against the Ice Pilots.

Everblades president and general manager Craig Brush has scheduled a press conference for 3:30 p.m.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in U.S. District Court, the incident took place on American Airlines flight 1203. During flight, attendants served Cornacchia two alcoholic beverages. About one hour after takeoff he approached a flight attendant at the rear of plane requesting another drink. The attendant refused because he was stumbling, unstable and slurring speech.

As flight attendants and two physicians on board were attending to a passenger who had lost consciousness, Cornacchia entered the lavatory at the back of the plane, according to the affidavit. Upon exiting, he again asked for a drink but was refused and told the attendants were handling a medical emergency and to return to his seat.No further details were given about the medical emergency.

According to the affidavit, at that point he slapped the flight attendant in the face with an open hand. He was physically restrained and returned to his seat.

“Cornacchia continued to attempt to move about the cabin and was belligerent towards the flight attendants, intimidating them, directing obscene language towards them and exposing his genitalia to nearby passengers,” according to the affidavit.

While three flight attendants and a passenger restrained Cornacchia, he intentionally head-butted the passenger, according to the affidavit. For the rest of the flight, attendants and the passenger remained with Cornacchia to prevent further incident.

The flight captain declared an on-board emergency and was granted direct approach to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

When the flight landed, Cornacchia told federal authorities he had seven or eight drinks immediately before and during the flight, and did not recall the altercations.

Cornacchia on Friday waived his right to a probable cause hearing. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeff Kaplan demanded he surrender his passport, unless needed to play hockey. He released Cornacchia on conditions he refrain from any alcohol.

Cornacchia is listed as 27 by hockeyDB.com.

Hornung said he would not comment on the affidavit until he has more time to consult with Cornacchia.



and WOW - they are letting him play in tonight's game. Holy crap. I'm all about innocent until proven guilty but his antics are no small deal. I'm stunned.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/dec/29/everblades-player-cornachia-arrested-after-alleged/

Florida Everblades defenseman David Cornacchia will continue to play with the team until a verdict is reached regarding his alleged behavior on an American Airlines flight to the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport on Thursday, general manager Craig Brush said on Saturday. Cornacchia is expected to be in the lineup tonight against the Pensacola Ice Pilots and is expected to remain in the lineup for Sunday's and Tuesday's games in Pensacola and Mississippi.



I can tell you that if I'd been on that plane and what they are saying he did is true, I'd be writing the ECHL and pitching a fit that a kid with OBVIOUS alcohol control issues is not sitting his ass in a treatment and/or evaluation program but instead playing a friggin' ECHL game. I realize we all makes mistakes, but that is some crazy ****!

[puck_it]

so... i dont get how whipping it out is supposed to get him another drink

[svandijk1]

Well I was gonna suggest how he might have thought how it would help, then I remembered it was a male flight attendant and decided I'd better just let it go.

[nccanes]

well, it says he was exposing it to the fellow passengers, so maybe he thought it was a nice distraction from the medical emergency..

[nccanes]

haven't posted any of my Blades trivia lately, lol.

Blades are still as inconsistent as the Canes, Justin Peters has gone cold since he was reassigned from Albany. But he did get an instigator penalty in a game because he just decided to jump on another player. Later admitted he just did it to get the team going and felt like it, he wasn't provoked, lol.

Here's the trivia. Since the Blades are as depleted as us, they have signed Brad Brown, (http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid%5B%5D=11364) former NHLer and former Wild Captain.

Here's what the Blades beat writer wrote after a recent game:

We saw Brad Brown play, and fight, for the first time at Germain Arena. He'll be a fun one. And he just looks like a presence on the ice -- big, strong and a good skater. Definitely a good signing, and there'll be more to come as he gets used to the league.

"This is a fun place to play," he said after tonight's game. "I love the rink, and the fans are loud."

Brown also definitely loves to fight. Fleming said Brown told him he was happy to see blood again, and Brown reiterated that when I talked to him.

"It's been eight months since I've been punched in the face, so that was good," he said, smiling. :lol:

[nccanes]

For anyone interested, the Blades play a 3 game series in Charlotte this weekend.

I'd love to go myself, but we have rare Sat night tickets here for the Canes (along with other "stuff" going on), so we won't make it.

[nccanes]

just to update, they've done the goalie switch between Peters and Nastiuk again. Peters is up in Albany. Apparently between Grahame and Leighton, Nastiuk hasn't played for the Rats since 1/4 or something. I'm sure he's thrilled.

Wonder if that's an asset that could be moved in a deal?

[nccanes]

Well thank goodness no one took my advice to catch the Blades in Charlotte this weekend...because they are in FLA! :lol:

Blades playing in Charlotte next Thurs/Sat. Oops.

Blades on a 4 game win streak and leading the Checkers today 5-2, so possibly a 5th.

[nccanes]

Well it's been awhile since my last Blades update. They've had an entirely average season, so I guess I got bored with them.

Anyway, I've been checking in on them as the season winds down and found a few interesting tidbits.

First off, in the drunk Blade on the airplane. He plead guilty (http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/apr/03/blades-cornacchia-pleads-guilty-interfering-aa-fli/) to the charges yesterday.

Cornacchia was not immediately sentenced, but he could face prison time for the charge. He explained to the judge that he had taken two Ambien sleeping pills and had several drinks before boarding the Dec. 27 flight from Toronto to Dallas; of having stumbled to the back of the plane, demanding more drinks, Cornacchia said his memory is foggy.


Now. The Blades didn't suspend him for a minute, let alone a game. Now that the guy has plead guilty, you wonder if the league or the team does anything. I mean, it's not one of those "innocent until proven guilty" things any longer, he plead guilty. Anyway - the ECHL is the least of his worries. He could get jail time and/or have VISA issues. Apparently he won't get sentenced for up to 2 months.

The other story I mentioned in this thread was the play of Matthieu Melanson. The kid that semi-quit and then decided to give hockey another try, playing for Gerry Fleming (a former teammate of his Dad's). Well, the guy is the leading Blade scorer, top 20 in the ECHL in scoring, and a ECHL All Star......and they released him 3 games before the playoffs start (http://http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/apr/01/blades-release-all-star-melanson-seasons-final-wee/), saying he wasn't good enough defensively. Okay. Sounds like he was a pain in the ass, but how odd. Anyway, he got picked up by PHX.

Finally, Nastiuk gets a shutout to secure the Blades have home ice advantage (http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/apr/01/blades-clinch-fourth-place-behind-nastiuks-shutout/) heading into the playoffs.

[Canesluver]

Found an update on David Cornacchia.

From Phil Janack's blog, up in Schenectady:

Rough Flight
Special thanks to loyal reader Scott Murphy, who found this item on defenseman David Cornacchia, a player called up to the Rats for the end of last season and the playoffs:

Canadian Press
Jul 28, 2008, 11:28 PM EDT
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The lawyer for a minor league hockey player says his client has been sentenced to one year and one day of prison for slapping a flight attendant, head-butting a passenger and exposing himself on an American Airlines flight from Toronto to Dallas.

David Cornacchia of Toronto plays for the minor league team Florida Everblades, based in Fort Myers, Fla. Michael Francis Hornung says the sentence also includes supervised release for three years, including substance abuse and anger management programs, plus a US$4,000 fine.

Hornung says Cornacchia already pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew.

He says he hoped for the sentence of probation without incarceration.

[puck_it]

wonder if they're going to do the treatment bell got... jail during the offseason... but i doubt it since he's an ECHLer.

I dont condone what he did, and he probably deserves jailtime, but considering he was man enough to own up to his crime... a year seems rough considering what other people get away with.

[nccanes]

I guess given the fact that they had to request emergency/priority landing and given how freakin' terrified the people on that plane probably were, and that it's a felony....

A drunk in a bar or restaurant is one thing, on a plane would kinda freak me out.

[SoCalcaniac]

Mr Socal had stumbled on that story as well, and I personally thought he got off 'easy'.

Like E said, this was on a friggin airplane. Given how sensitive anything related to disruption on an airplane is, when I initially read that story, I was sure he'd get thrown in the klink for awhile. Perhaps he had people intervene on his behalf, and I'm sure he's a nice guy and all,(cause most people are when they're not stinking drunk) but for me, this was a really serious matter- my gosh, people must have been freaking watching that unfold on the plane-- and I'm guessing the judge wanted to make that point in his sentencing. Most felony sentences aren't usually just one year- so I guess he can be thankful he's not taking up Federal Prison space for years.

[puck_it]

yeah, i had forgotten about the emergency landing part.

[livinthedream]

Figured this was the best place to post an update on Nate Hagemo, folks had asked about him after he came to rookie conditioning camp. He's now at training camp for the Everblades.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/oct/07/after-battling-addiction-prospective-blades-/?partner=RSS

[nccanes]

Thanks LTD. I usually keep up with the Blades and this year I haven't visited their website or the Naples News or News Press sites at all.

I know they have a new coach and a lot of turnover (I think), but haven't been up on the latest. Good luck to Nate!

[livinthedream]

Well, Nate was the first player cut by the Blades, although it sounds as though the door remains open for him.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/oct/15/paiement-arrives-blades-hagemo-first-player-cut/?partner=RSS

ROSTER CUTS: The Blades had to submit their opening day roster to the ECHL by 5 p.m. on Wednesday. But Cameron wasn't too worried about potential roster cuts.

So far, he has cut just one player: Defenseman Nate Hagemo, who had been out of the sport for two years due to drug addiction and injuries. Cameron said he'd offered Hagemo a contract, but told the 22-year-old he wouldn't be guaranteed playing time.

Hagemo opted to explore his options with other ECHL teams, but Cameron said that if the former second-round draft pick doesn't get picked up by another team, he could end up back with the Blades playing a limited role.

[nccanes]

I've been a good Blades fan over the years but this year have had 0 time to even check in with them, though I was under the impression they've had a good season under their new coach.

Since I had a spare moment this morning, I chose to take a look.

The Blades have the most wins in the League and are the first team to have clinched a Kelly Cup playoff spot.

http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=standings

In taking a peek at their roster, I don't see any names that appear to be our prospects, I guess what was left down there might be up in Albany after the bus crash.

http://www.floridaeverblades.com/team/roster/

The name AJ Thelen caught my eye, but in reading his BIO, I guess it's because he was drafted here in '04 in the first round, rather than because he's Hurricane property (his BIO said he has an Everblades contract)?

[SoCalcaniac]

Albany after the bus crash.

The name AJ Thelen caught my eye, but in reading his BIO, I guess it's because he was drafted here in '04 in the first round, rather than because he's Hurricane property (his BIO said he has an Everblades contract)?

So this is where he's surfaced. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. :crazy: E, you might remember Thelen more- he was a top college prospect, drafted by the Wild (he's a MN native) signed with Michigan State, and got his butt in all kinds of trouble and was kicked off the team. (lots of rumors, drugs, drinking etc.) I had read he was going to go play in Sweden or Europe after the Wild decided not to sign him, but apparently he had just a lot of issues. Hopefully he has learned alot from all that and is trying to make his way up.

Does anyone know what ever happened to Nate Hagemo? I've not seen or heard anything since he got that a shot with the Blades after he left our conditioning camp?

[nccanes]

I queried the Naples News and see he was cut in October.

So far, he has cut just one player: Defenseman Nate Hagemo, who had been out of the sport for two years due to drug addiction and injuries. Cameron said he'd offered Hagemo a contract, but told the 22-year-old he wouldn't be guaranteed playing time.

Hagemo opted to explore his options with other ECHL teams, but Cameron said that if the former second-round draft pick doesn't get picked up by another team, he could end up back with the Blades playing a limited role.



edit:

According to this he played for the Elmira Jackals (ECHL) and the Amarillo Gorillas, whatever that is, thus far this season, but only 14 games between the 2 teams.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=83093

edit 2:
So I google the Amarillo Gorillas and he's not on the roster. But a Austin Sutter from Red Deer AB is, lol....along with a Ftorek kid.

[nccanes]

And finally, found this on a MN Hockey site

Nate Hagemo had two goals and two assists in 10 games with the Amarillo Gorillas and was considered one of their top defensemen when he was checked awkwardly into the end boards by Mississippi’s Brad Bonello during a game on December 20th. Hagemo reportedly was on the ice for some time before being assisted to the locker room. Hagemo suffered neck and back injuries, including a herniated lumbar disc. He was cleared to play by Amarillo's doctors in mid-January and placed on waivers and immediately claimed by the Tulsa Oilers but failed their physical so the transaction was canceled and he has been sent back to Amarillo until he can be cleared to play. He has been attempting a comeback this season following trouble with substance abuse and multiple arrests. Hagemo was told he may not recover from a previous shoulder injury but this new injury does not involve the shoulder. He is contributing to every off-ice event for the Gorillas, visiting schools and hospitals and helping in the team offices, while working on his rehabilitation hoping to avoid surgery.

[Canesluver]

Poor guy. He's somebody I really want to pull for -- but it seems like his bank of bad karma is just too deep for him to get out of. :(

It's nice to see the team is open to whatever contribution he wants to make off-the-ice.

[nccanes]

Wow. The Blades cruised thru the regular season and advanced out of the first round, but lost in OT of Game 6 of the 2nd round last night. They came back from TWO DOWN with 2 minutes left just to get to OT, but lost 9 minutes into OT.

ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades season came to a sudden end in Game 6 of the South Division Finals when South Carolina Stingrays defenseman Zach Tarkir’s shot from the left point clanked off the right post and dropped into then net nine minutes into overtime on Tuesday night at Germain Arena.

Tarkir’s fourth goal of the playoffs at 9:04 of overtime spoiled an incredible come-back effort by the Everblades and sent the Stingrays on to the American Conference Finals for the second consecutive season, winning the South Division Finals 4-games-to-2.

Before Tarkir could be a hero, the Everblades erased a two goal deficit with a pair of goals in the game’s final 90 seconds to force the overtime period.

Trailing 3-1 with two minutes remaining in regulation, the Everblades took their timeout and pulled goalie David Leggio. After gaining control of an offensive left face-off, Everblades defenseman Peter Metcalf fed a pass from the left point across to Doug O’Brien at the right side. O’Brien let a slap shot fly that sailed through traffic and into the upper left corner of the net at 18:31 to trim South Carolina’s lead to one.

Off the ensuing face-off, once the Everblades gained control, Leggio again raced to the bench for the extra attacker. Soon after, the Stingrays iced the puck giving Florida the offensive face-off. The Everblades gained control of the face-off and Milan Gajic worked the puck from behind the South Carolina net, sending a pass out to the blue line. Metcalf and O’Brien again teamed up with Metcalf’s shot kicking off the right pad of Stingrays net-minder Jonathan Boutin and directly to Gajic at the right side of the crease where he stoked home his second goal of the night with 19 seconds remaining in regulation to even the score at three.

Overall Game 6 saw the Everblades dominate the puck possession and control the play, but the Stingrays capitalized on their chances despite being out-shot 52-14 by Florida.


That musta been some bizarro game!

[nccanes]

Guess no one gave a rip about the Everblades last season...:lol:

Anyway - saw the tweet from the Blades that the Lightning has signed an affiliation with the Everblades, so the Canes and Bolts will share them as an ECHL affiliation.

[Captain Slack]

Is that going to be the case? Cause this article (http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535126&navid=DL|TBL|home) from the Lightning's website doesn't say anything about sharing the affilation.

[nccanes]

Is that going to be the case? Cause this article (http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535126&navid=DL|TBL|home) from the Lightning's website doesn't say anything about sharing the affilation.

Yes, we are still sharing.

The blades press release:

“We are very happy to welcome the Florida Everblades to the Lightning organization today,” Yzerman said. “The Everblades and their management have demonstrated a strong commitment to success by guiding their team to the playoffs in each of their 12 seasons in existence. That is exactly the type of winning environment we feel our players should develop in. Couple that with their proximity to Tampa and there really isn’t a better option for us. We look forward to our prospects and contracted players helping to bring the Kelly Cup to Southwest Florida.”

In addition to the new affiliation with the Lightning, the Everblades will also be continuing its long-standing affiliation with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and its AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.

To be honest, I'm not sure we've had that many players down there the last few years, but that's a depth issue rather than contractual.

[caniac97]

Yes, we are still sharing.

The blades press release:



To be honest, I'm not sure we've had that many players down there the last few years, but that's a depth issue rather than contractual.

Rosey use to play for the Blades, worked his way up from there.

[nccanes]

Rosey use to play for the Blades, worked his way up from there.

Yes. LaRose last played for the Blades in 2004. I wasn't counting that as "the last few years". :lol:


edit: We've had some goalies down there, that's the only players I can think of that are still hanging around (Peters is mentioned in the first post of this thread, from the fall of 2007). I'm not saying we haven't assigned the odd player down there, but my guess would be that they were ECHL/AHL contracts, rather than NHL/AHL contracts.

[caniac97]

I think Rosey had an "alcohol infraction" while down there. Remember some hoopla about it.

[nccanes]

I think Rosey had an "alcohol infraction" while down there. Remember some hoopla about it.

I'm sure he's got fond memories of car surfing with his teammates (I believe he was driving).

But after the other kid got arrested after causing a plane to divert because he was drunk and arguing with the flight attendants (and my recollection was that he mooned them?), I think Rosey doesn't have to worry about being "the story". :lol:

BUT - they did share the same lawyer. :lol:

He (the lawyer) even has his own blog at the Naples News:
http://blogs.naplesnews.com/behindtheglass/

[Canesluver]

OMG! I'm so GLAD you posted, NCC!

I've been worrying, and worrying for over a year about the 'Blades!!! I'm so relieved to have the update. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

I can breathe a sigh of relief now!! My summer is now complete!

:evil:

[nccanes]

hahahahahahaha

:lol:

And here's another little tidbit for you CL. With the whole Rats --> Checkers switcheroo, the Checkers fans have to get used to the idea that they will be "on the same team" as the Blades. In the ECHL, the Blades and Checkers had a number of playoff series (I even went to a few of those games in Cricket arena...and actually ran into the Toast family...tho we didn't realize it until later...just a little trivia on top of trivia..) and was a pretty bitter rival. Now the fans have to embrace the idea of "their" players going to/fro the Everblades.

I suspect that it'll be easier for the Checker's fans - but the Blades fans might have a little bit of a inferiority complex.

I have now completed my Everblades posting for the 2010-2011 season.

[WilkesCanefan]

I don't know how to post a link, but it is on FOX sports under NHL.

There was a goalie fight the other night and they have the video. I'm not real sure but I think that one of the regular skaters fighting is Staal. Was it him?

[MoBigRed]

From Puck Daddy. Nice

Fight Video: Players leave benches in wild, bloody ECHL line brawl (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Fight-Video-Players-leave-benches-in-wild-bloo?urn=nhl-311739)