Everblades Deliver Teddy Bears to Children’s Hospital

Fort Myers, FL – Florida Everblades players paid a visit to Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida to spread holiday cheer, delivering teddy bears and other stuffed animals to young children Wednesday afternoon.

“All these kids are going through a tough time right now, and it’s the least we can do to come in here and put a smile on their faces,” explained Florida forward Kellan Tochkin.

Blades players, the Florida Everbabes and Swampee distributed toys collected during the 2013 IBERIABANK Teddy Bear Toss on December 7, in which over 6,100 stuffed animals rained down on the ice.

During their visit, the players visited individual rooms and spent time with the children who were hospitalized, learning about the kids and why they were there.

The reaction the players received is something few will forget.

“I met one little girl as soon as I walked in the door and talked to her for a little bit,” related second-year winger Mike Merrifield. “The next time I saw her, I came around the corner with a huge, 3-foot-tall teddy bear for her; the way she smiled and her eyes lit up and is something that I’ll always remember.”

In addition to the Children’s Hospital, the Everblades have also donated stuffed animals from the Teddy Bear Toss to various charities, organizations and children in need across Southwest Florida.

On the ice, the Blades return home Friday to open a two-game holiday series against the Greenville Road Warriors at Germain Arena with a 7:30pm divisional showdown. It will be “Ugly Christmas Sweater Night” at Germain Arena Friday; all fans wearing an ugly Christmas sweater will get $5.00 off any Premium seat for the game.

Tickets are on sale now at the Capital Bank Box Office, open Monday-Friday, 10:00am-6:00pm.

Friday’s divisional contest will be broadcast live online at FloridaEverblades.com and on the Everblades’ app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, with a video webcast available through America ONE, the official broadband and mobile broadcaster of the ECHL, at www.americaonesports.com. Pregame coverage will get under way at 7:15pm.

Beat the Box Office!

Don’t want to pay the box office rate for Everblades tickets? You don’t have to! Save up to $7.00 per ticket with great 10 and 20-game flex plans and group rates for the remainder of the 2013-14 campaign. Lock in your flex plan or group seats now for Ugly Christmas Sweater Night on December 20.

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 Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.

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