Blades Sign Sevcenko, Release Rafalski

Estero, FL – Florida Everblades president Craig Brush, along with head coach Greg Poss, announced Tuesday that the club has agreed to contract terms with defenseman Eriks Sevcenko. They also announced that the team has released three-time Stanley Cup champion Brian Rafalski.

Sevcenko, 22, played nine games this season for the San Francisco Bulls, notching a goal and five assists in ECHL play.

A native of Daugavpils, Latvia, Sevcenko also played a season-plus of professional hockey in Belarus and Norway, compiling 32 points (3g, 29a) in 58 appearances.

Florida parted ways with Rafalski, 40, who won two Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils and one with the Detroit Red Wings, had one assist in three games with the Blades.

“Today’s move came in the interest of getting Brian back into playing shape,” explained Poss, who, like Rafalski, played his collegiate hockey at Wisconsin. “We’re certainly not closing any doors; we just needed the roster spot at this time.”

Rafalski will stay on as the team’s chaplain, a role he has served for the past two seasons.

On the ice, the Everblades return home to open a six-game home stand, starting Wednesday with a 7:30pm contest against the resurgent Greenville Road Warriors. Wednesday’s game will be “Two-Dollar Wednesday,” with $2.00 hot dogs, Budweiser drafts and Barefoot Wines.

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

Wednesday’s home tilt 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 the Blades’ next home game on January 29.

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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