Everblades Make a Duo of Deals

Estero, FL – The Florida Everblades announced on Wednesday afternoon the acquirement of forward Evan Bloodoff and defenseman Rob Kwiet from the Gladiators in exchange for forward Mike Merrifield and defenseman Eriks Sevcenko and future considerations from the Blades.

Bloodoff, 23, (pronounced blued-off), collected 29 points (17g, 12a) in 55 appearance with the Gladiators this season, his second year in Gwinnett. In the 2012-13 season, he tallied 22 goals and 18 assists while performing in 52 games. Bloodoff, who hails from Nelson, BC, previously played for the team’s AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates making appearances in two seasons, and was drafted round 6, #157 overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2009.

“Evan is an extremely speedy winger, with an excellent shot, we are very excited to have him on the team” noted Coach Poss.

Kwiet, 25, (pronounced QUIT), has tallied 23 points for the Gladiators (8g, 15a) throughout the 2013-14 season. Kwiet previously played for the Fort Wayne Komets this season with seven assists for the team. Kwiet, with an extensive history of teams, played for Stockton, Greenville and San Francisco in the previous season. The Toronto, ONT native played for the AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Providence Bruins in 2009-2011.

“Rob is a great two-way defenseman, who is strong in power plays and good with puck movement and a fine shot” says Poss.

Sent to Gwinnett in the trade is forward Mike Merrifield, and defenseman Eriks Sevcenko (pronounced sev-cheng-ko). Merrifield acquired 30 points (12g, 18a) in 54 games with the Everblades in his second season with the team. Sevcenko played with three separate teams this season in Norway and then in a nine game appearance with the former San Francisco Bulls, gathering (1g, 5a), and finally playing in nine games with the Everblades.

The ECHL Trade Deadline is Thursday, March 13th, at 3 p.m. EST

The Everblades return on the road Friday to open a three-game set against the Fort Wayne Komets at theAllen County War Memorial Coliseum at 8:05pm.

Tuesday’s game will be broadcast live online at FloridaEverblades.com and on the Everblades’ app foriPhone, 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 group rates for the remainder of the 2013-14 campaign.

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 TampaBay Lightning.

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