Ratchuk Returns; Agrees to Terms with 'Blades

ESTERO, FL -- The Florida Everblades announced Wednesday that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Mike Ratchuk.

Ratchuk re-joins the Everblades after posting 11 points (4g, 7a) in 44 games played this season with Ljubljana Olimpija HK in Austria.

Last season, Ratchuk totaled 32 points (11g, 21a) in 47 games played split between the Elmira Jackals and the Florida Everblades.  The 5-11, 186-pound forward was a member of the Everblades Kelly Cup Championship team last spring totaling six points (4g, 2a) in nine playoff appearances.

Ratchuk also logged an assist in 12 games played in the American Hockey League last season split between Binghamton (10 games) and Syracuse (2 games).

Ratchuk also brings 147 games of experience from the AHL in other stints with the Philadelphia Phantoms, Adirondack Phantoms, and Springfield Falcons from 2007-2011.

The South Buffalo, NY native was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round (#42 overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Ratchuk played two seasons at Michigan State University registering 37 points (10g, 27a) from 2006-2008.

Ratchuk is expected to be in the lineup when the Everblades play host to the Greenville Road Warriors this Saturday and Sunday at Germain Arena.

Saturday’s game begins at 7:00 p.m. against the Greenville Road Warriors. Every Saturday game is Family Night. Receive 4-tickets, 4-hot dogs, 4-sodas for just $56! (Family packages must be purchased at Capital Bank Box Office). The teams will meet again on Sunday, January 27 at 5:00 p.m.

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. Group discounts are also available, and can save fans up $8 off per ticket from the normal box office price. For more information on all available packages, call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825.