Asst. Coach Tapper returns for third season

Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Greg Poss announced Thursday that Brad Tapper will be returning as the team’s assistant coach for the 2012-13 season.

Tapper returns for his third season with the Everblades after helping lead the team to their first Kelly Cup Championship last spring.  During his two seasons coaching with Greg Poss, the two have compiled a record of 76-56-12, including a 16-6 postseason mark.

“Brad is good at skill development, and has a great rapport with our players,” said Poss.  “He runs our defense during the games, but works one-on-one with our players from an offensive standpoint to help them generate more scoring chances. I am happy to have him back for the upcoming season.”

Prior to coaching, Tapper played nine seasons in professional hockey. The Scarborough, Ontario native totaled 25 points (14g, 11a) and 72 penalty minutes in 71 career NHL games with the Atlanta Thrashers (2000-03).

Tapper registered 82 points (36g, 46a) in 132 American Hockey League games split between the Chicago Wolves, Binghamton Senators, and Philadelphia Phantoms.

As a player, he won championships with the Orlando Solar Bears of the International Hockey League in 2001 and with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League in 2002.

The Scarborough, Ontario native played his final five professional seasons in the German Elite League with Nuremberg, Hannover and Iserlohn from 2004-09 posting 165 points in 187 games.

The Everblades open up their 15th anniversary season at home on Friday, October 12 against the Orlando Solar Bears.

Season ticket packages are currently available, starting at $380 per seat for all 36 home games. Partial-season packages start as low as $150, and offer a flexible option for fans. For more information on all available packages, call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825, or visit the team online atwww.floridaeverblades.com