Six Players Head to AHL; 'Blades Add Five Players

ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades announced several player transactions on Saturday, which include six players being recalled to the American Hockey League.  In addition, the ‘Blades have agreed to terms with forwards Ernie Hartlieb, Bill Kinkel, Todd Pococke, Matt Syroczynski, and defenseman Ryan Brindley.  All five players are expected to be in the lineup with the Everblades play host to the Toledo Walleye tonight at Germain Arena.

The 'Blades transaction wire was busy today, as the Charlotte Checkerscalled-up forwards Leigh Salters and Matthew Pistilli, along with defenseman Beau Schmitz, and goaltender John Muse; while the  Syracuse Crunch have recalled forward Alex Hutchings and defenseman Charles Landry.

 Muse has posted a 9-8-4 record, with a 3.61 goals against average (GAA) and a .886 save percentage with Florida this season. Muse helped lead the Everblades to their first Kelly Cup Championship last spring, and was named the MVP of the playoffs. In 2011-12 with Charlotte, he posted a record of 10-3-2 with a 1.81 GAA and .941 save percentage.

Pistilli has 27 points (10g, 17a) in 39 ECHL games this season, including four points (2g, 2a) in four games since joining the Everblades via trade on Dec. 31. He scored the game wining goal in last night’s 3-2 victory over Toledo. The 6-2 , 219-pound forward has played in 123 career games with the Checkers, recording 44 points (20g, 24a).

Salters heads to Charlotte red-hot, currently riding six-game point scoring streak totaling 11 points (5g, 6a) during that stretch. The 6-4, 255-pound forward has recorded eight goals and 10 assists in 33 games this season.  for Florida. The London, Ontario native attended Checkers training camp in October and has skated in 53 career AHL games, amassing three points (1g, 2a) and 111 penalty minutes.

Schmitz has skated in 30 games for the Everblades this season, picking up two assists. While playing junior for the Plymouth Whalers from 2008-2012.

Landry heads to Syracuse having posted ten points (1g, 9a) in 32 games played with ‘Blades this season. The 6-1, 190-poound blue liner went scoreless in two games with the Crunch this season.  He logged six assists in 23 appearances with the Norfolk Admirals last spring.

Hutchings has totaled 25 points (11g, 14a) in 29 games with the Everblades this season. The 5-10, 184-lb., winger has appeared in 103 career ECHL games with the Everblades, totaling 75 points (36g, 39a). He has also earned five points (2g, 3a) in 13 games with the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL. The Burlington, Ontario native was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

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With the call-ups, Florida added five players to its roster Saturday:

Hartlieb is the Everblades  All-Time leader in Games Played with 345. The 6-2, 210-pound forward ranks high on several Everblades All-Time stats categories, which include: Points – 3rd (257), Goals – 5th (86), Assists – 3rd (171),  Power Play Goals – 1st (33). Hartlieb has his #9 jersey retired on October 19, 2012.

Brindley re-joins the ‘Blades for the first time since the 2006-07 season. The 6-0, 205-pound defenseman posted 98 career points in under four seasons with Florida from 2003-07.  The Thunder Bay Ontario native has appeared in 32 American Hockey League games.

Kinkel last played for the ‘Blades in the 2009-10 season going scoreless in two games played. The 6-5, 239-pound forward has appeared in 122 ECHL games (27 w/ Fla) from 2004-2010. In addition he has played 68 games in the American Hockey League with the Houston Aeros from 2004-2006.

Pococke posted 20 points during his four-year career at Ferris State, where he was a teammate of current ‘Blades netminder Pat Nagle. He appeared in two preseason games with the Everblades this season on October 5 & 6 against Orlando.

Syroczynski joins the Everblades having played most recently with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League during the 2009-10 season. The Pittsburgh, PA native posted 10 points in 30 games with Norfolk. The 6-5, 225-pound forward played two seasons with the Cincinnati Cyclones from 2007-09 totaling 90 points.

Florida battles Toledo tonight at Germain Arena beginning at 7:00 p.m. The McDonald’s Tailgate Party begins at 5:00 p.m. which features live music from Blue Mason Barter Co., along with face painting and bounce houses for the kids! Fans can register to win a diamond pendant in the Diamond Dash presented by Bailey, Banks, & Biddle. Fans can also take advantage of the Family Night special which features 4-game tickets, 4-hot dogs, and 4-sodas for $56.

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. For more information on all available packages, call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825.