'Blades Add NHL Defenseman Mark Stuart

ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades announced Tuesday that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Mark Stuart.

Stuart (28) joins the ‘Blades having posted 55 points (17g, 38a) and 406 penalty minutes in 386 career NHL games split between the Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, and Winnipeg Jets from 2005-2012.

The 6-2, 218 pound blue liner appeared in 80 games last season with Winnipeg scoring three goals and 14 assists. Stuart played with the Boston from 2005-2011, which included a career best 17 points, and plus-20 rating during the 2007-08 season. Prior to his professional career, Stuart played three seasons at Colorado College compiling 53 points (12g, 41a) and 275 penalty minutes during his three-year collegiate career.

The Rochester Minnesota native is a first round draft selection (21st overall) of the Boston Bruins in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Stuart now joins fellow NHL defensemen Ryan O’Byrne who joined the team in late November.

Stuart is expected to be in the lineup when Florida faces the Cincinnati Cyclones at U.S. Bank Arena Wednesday night. Game time is set for 7:35 p.m. The game will be broadcast on 96 K-Rock (96.1 FM), and online by at www.floridaeverblades.com

Florida’s next home game is Wednesday, December 19 against the Orlando Solar Bears. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Fans can skate with Santa following the game. Every Wednesday game features $2 drafts, wines, and hot dogs all night long in the concourse.

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.