'Blades Acquire Forward Matthew Pistilli from Stingrays

ESTERO, FL – Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Greg Poss announced Monday that the team has acquired forward Matthew Pistilli from the South Carolina Stingrays. In return, forward Matt Beca has been reassigned to South Carolina by the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League.

Pistilli rejoins the ‘Blades having posted 23 points (8g, 15a) in 35 games played this season with South Carolina. The 6-2, 219-pound forward appeared in 38 games with the Everblades from 2009-2011 totaling 35 points (16g, 18a).

The Montreal, Quebec native has totaled 44 points (20g, 24a) in 123 games played with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) the past two seasons. Pistilli also registered eight points in  41 games played with the Albany River Rats during the 2009-10 season.

 Pistilli accumulated 265 career points in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League split between Shawinigan and Gatineau from 2004-2009.

Beca heads to South Carolina after posting 23 points in 31 games played this season with Florida. Beca totaled 110 points during the previous two seasons with the ‘Blades from 2010-2012, and was a member of Florida’s Kelly Cup Championship team last spring.

The transaction marks the second in the last three days between both Florida and South Carolina. On Saturday, the ‘Blades acquired forward Kevin Baker from the Stingrays in exchange for future considerations.

Florida will have a week off, and then get set for a January 4 meeting at Greenville. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. Florida returns home to battle the Toledo Walleye on January 9, 11, 12, at Germain Arena.

 Ticket Information: The Capital Bank Box Office is open Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fans may also call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com

 Partial-season packages are still available, and start as low as $150 and offer a flexible option for fans. These packages make for great holiday gifts for the hockey fan in your life! For more information on all available packages, call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825.