A look at some happenings around the league this week.
The ECHL’s pre-season weekend is in the books, which means the 2024-25 regular season is just days away. The Florida Everblades officially begin their quest to make history (again) in defense of their third Kelly Cup championship in a row. Teams continue to fill out their final roster spots for the season, and others managed to put a little adventure into their training camp regimen. Here are some notes from around the league.
Hockey Resumes In Florida
The Florida Everblades kicked off defense of their third straight Kelly Cup championship pre-season style Sunday with a 4-1 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears at Hertz Arena in Estero.
With all the turmoil surrounding the two hurricanes that swept across Florida and surrounding states the past several weeks, the return of hockey was a wonderful distraction for players, coaches and fans.
The game remained scoreless until Carson Gicewicz got the Everblades on the board late in the first period, with helpers from Santino Centorame and Colin Theisen.
Florida goaltender Cam Johnson, who has been with the club for its three straight Kelly Cup titles, was his usual dominant self in net, stopping every shot he faced before being relieved by Will Cranley.
Midway through the second period, Logan Lambdin increased the lead for the Blades, with Craig Needham and Greg Meireles getting assists.
The Solar Bears finally got on the board late in the third period, but Centorame scored shortly thereafter for a 3-1 lead. Jesse Lansdell finished off the scoring with an empty-netter for the 4-1 victory.
Son Of Former NHL-er Signs with Railers
The Worcester Railers announced Monday they have signed forward Cole Crowder to an ECHL contract for this coming season.
The 22-year-old Sudbury, ON native came to training camp on an amateur tryout. He played one season at Sault College at the ACHA II level. With the Cougars, Crowder scored 15 points (4-11-15) in 20 games.
Prior to collegiate hockey, the 6-foot-5, 220- pound forward skated in two seasons for the Greater Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, where he had 69 points (31-38-69) and 201 penalty minutes in 83 games.
Crowder averaged over a point per game in his second year with the Cubs, scoring 53 in 51 games to go with 119 penalty minutes.
Cole is the son of Troy Crowder, who played in 150 NHL games between the Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils. Troy recorded 16 points (9-7-16) in his NHL career to go with 433 penalty minutes.
Stingray Scavenger Hunt
Coaches are always looking for creative ways to promote team bonding and give the players something to focus on besides being on the ice.
South Carolina Stingrays head coach Jared Nightingale held a team scavenger hunt following Saturday’s practice. It was not only a way for players to become more familiar with each other off the ice, but their community as well.
“I’d been on teams in the past that (did it),” Nightingale told Stingrays PR over the weekend. “I think it’s a good way, for one, to get the guys to make memories together and have some laughs. There were some fun missions they had to do. But it’s also a chance to see Charleston, so many things downtown, see the people there. There’s so much life. It’s one of the many areas we’ll try and hit on the team, getting them together outside the rink and have a good time.”
Royals Host Holiday Golf Tournament
The Slapshot Charities Golf Tournament has become a part of Reading Royals tradition right before the start of a season.
The club held its 19th annual event on Monday at the Heidelberg Country Club in Bernville, PA. The tournament featured Royals players, coaches, administrative staff and Slapshot, the team mascot.
It’s a fun way for fans to help the Royals kick off the season and included lunch, raffle prizes, green fees and a golf cart. Slapshot Charities provides assistance to nonprofits throughout Reading and the surrounding area, serving underprivileged and disadvantaged youth.