'Blades Bolster Blue Line with Ellington

Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Greg Poss announced Tuesday that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Taylor Ellington for the 2012-13 season.

Ellington, 24, joins the Everblades after totaling 33 points (12g, 21a) last season in 69 games split between the Kalamazoo Wings (22 pts) and the Chicago Express (11 pts).

“I am thrilled that we are able to bring Taylor on board for next season,” said Poss. “He is a solid two-way defenseman who has a great shot. He is also a dedicated player who has a strong work ethic.”

The 6-2, 207-pound defenseman registered 17 points (3g, 14a) in 62 games played with the Victoria Salmon Kings (ECHL) from 2009-11. During the 2009-10 season, he posted four points in 19 games played with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. Ellington scored a goal in his professional debut while with the Moose on April 11, 2009.

Prior to his pro career, Ellington accumulated 66 points (14g, 52a) in 287 games in the Western Hockey League with the Everett Silvertips from 2004-2009. The Victoria, BC native was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the second-round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The Everblades open up their 15th anniversary season at home on Friday, October 12 against the Orlando Solar Bears. The two teams will also meet the week prior, for a pair of preseason exhibition games played at Germain Arena on October 5 and October 6. Individual game tickets will go on sale beginning September 7.

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