Estero, FL – Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush, along with Head Coach Greg Poss, announced Wednesday that the team has agreed to terms with forwards Matthew Pistilli and John Henrion for the upcoming 2013-14 season.

Pistilli, 24, came back to the Blades last season in a trade with the South Carolina Stingrays. Following the trade he posted 52 points on 17 goals and 35 assists in just 39 games. He had previously played for the Everblades during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 campaigns before being called up to the AHL (Albany and Charlotte, respectively).

“Matt had a great season with us after he arrived from South Carolina, putting up over a point-per-game,” illustrated Poss, who is entering his fourth season behind the bench for the Blades. “He’s a veteran presence that we’re relying not only for scoring, but also leadership this year.”

In 112 career games in the ECHL, the Montreal, Que., native has racked up 109 points (42 G, 67 A). Prior to his pro career, Pistilli stuffed the stat sheet with 265 points (120 G, 145 A) between the Shawinigan Cataractes and Gatineau Olympiques. He was named Humanitarian of the Year for the Canadian Hockey League in 2009.

Henrion, 22, joins the Blades after a four-year career at the University of New Hampshire that saw the winger collect 35 goals and 31 assists for the Wildcats in the prestigious Hockey East conference.

“John is a goal-scoring wing, who comes to us after playing four years in one of the best conferences in college hockey,” added Poss, who played his collegiate hockey in the WCHA at Wisconsin. “He’s a smart player, but the best part of his game is his shot.”

Before his college days, Henrion played for the U.S. National Team Development Program. He was also a member of the Team USA squad that captured the gold medal at the 2009 World Junior Under-18 Championships, scoring two goals and two assists at the tournament.

The Everblades open the 2013-14 campaign at Germain Arena on Friday, October 18, with Black Out Night against the Orlando Solar Bears.  Individual game tickets are now on sale at the Capital Bank Box Office at Germain Arena, Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

2013-14 Season Ticket Package Information

Ticket packages for the 2013-14 season are currently on sale—and going fast!  Full season packages begin at $380, while 10 and 20 game packages start as low as $160. Sign-up for a new season ticket package today, and receive a $20 gift card per seat to Outback Steakhouse!

For more information call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades main office located at Germain Arena.

Office hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes

###