Three-time defending Kelly Cup champions will serve as pipeline for prospects between Blues, Springfield Thunderbirds
The Florida Everblades entered into a multi-year affiliation agreement with the St. Louis Blues, the ECHL club announced on Wednesday.
The Everblades will serve as an affiliate for the Blues and their primary developmental affiliate, the American Hockey League’s Springfield Thunderbirds, starting with the 2024-25 season.
“This affiliation with the St. Louis Blues is incredibly exciting for the Everblades organization and me personally,” Everblades owner and Missouri native David Hoffmann said in a statement. “Having the opportunity to partner with a team from my home state, a team with such a rich history and passionate fanbase, is truly special."
“Our new affiliation with the Everblades marks a great addition to our organizational system,” Springfield GM Kevin Maxwell said in a statement. “The franchise has captured three consecutive Kelly Cup championships and will provide an excellent environment for our prospects to continue in their professional development.”
The Everblades and Blues will be affiliated for the first time in the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.
“We are excited to have the St. Louis Blues as our new NHL affiliate,” Everblades president Craig Brush said in a statement. “The strong ownership group led by chairman and governor Tom Stillman, along with president of hockey operations and general manager Doug Armstrong have built a tremendous organization in St. Louis. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the development of players for the Blues and Springfield Thunderbirds. I want to thank my long-time friend Steve Chapman, executive vice president, chief revenue and marketing officer for the Blues for his hard work to make this happen.”
Additionally, the Everblades have won six conference championships, eight division championships, and four Brabham Cups, awarded to the ECHL’s team with the top regular-season record. In 26 seasons, the Everblades have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs every year but one, and 40 Everblades players have gone on to play in the NHL.
Originally founded in 1998, the Everblades will be celebrating the organization’s 27th season in 2024-25. The Everblades are coming off their fourth Kelly Cup championship in 2023-24, a season in which the team played in front of sellout crowds on 18 separate occasions.
The Everblades went 16-7 in the postseason and became the ECHL’s first team to hoist the Kelly Cup for three straight seasons. Florida captured the Kelly Cup in 2012, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Additionally, the Everblades have won six conference championships, eight division championships, and four Brabham Cups, awarded to the ECHL’s team with the top regular-season record. In 26 seasons, the Everblades have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs every year but one, and 40 Everblades players have gone on to play in the NHL.
The Blues have not had an ECHL affiliate since partnering with the Tulsa Oilers from 2017-2020.
