ESTERO, FL –Well it has been a busy week for the Everblades on the transactions front.  The following article will recap this week’s moves, and give you a little background on the team’s new players.

On Wednesday, the ‘Blades signed forward Jon Puskar who recently completed his senior season at American International College.  Puskar is a 5-11 forward who concluded his collegiate career with a career best 35 points (17g, 18a) in 36 games this season

Also on Wednesday the ‘Blades were able to strike a deal with the Gwinnett Gladiators to bring in forward Evan Bloodoff and defenseman Rob Kwiet in exchange for Mike Merrifeld and Eriks Sevcenk and future considerations.

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

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.

Shortly before Thursday’s trade deadline, the ‘Blades brought in the talents of defenseman Cameron Burt in exchange for Olivier Malka. 

Burt, 27, is an offensive-minded defenseman, who can also play forward. He amassed 22 points (5g, 17a) in 32 appearances with the Reign this season.  Last season, the 5-10, 170-pound blueliner posted 38 points (2g, 36a) in 61 games played with Ontario. In addition, he also spent time in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs contributing six points (1g, 5a) in just nine appearances.The Detroit, Michigan native played four seasons collegiately at R.I.T. from 2008-2012,  where he was a teammate of former Everblade Bobby Raymond. 

Also on Thursday, goaltender Connor Knapp was reassigned by the Buffalo Sabres to the Alaska Aces (ECHL).  The moves leaves the ‘Blades with two netminders in Trevor Cann and Mac Carruth.

 Fans can catch their first glimpse at the new players, when Florida returns home to take on the Evansville Icemen on Wednesday, March 26 at Germain Arena. Fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs, $2 bud light drafts, and $2 barefoot wines at this game.

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

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.

###