'Blades Add a Trio of Players for 2014-15

ESTERO, FL --- The Florida Everblades have announced Tuesday that the team has agreed to terms with center Mike Aviani, defenseman Patrick McEachen, and right winger Brant Harris for the 2014-15 season.

Aviani, 21, will make his pro debut this year after spending the last five seasons with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Last season he appeared in 69 games and accumulated a career-best 81 points (38g, 43a). Aviani helped lead the Chiefs to the WHL playoffs in four of five seasons.  The 5-11, 195-pound center from North Vancouver, BC played in a total of 42 WHL playoff games posting a total of 28 points (9G, 19A).

McEachen, 23, will enter his first professional season with the Everblades after registering 13 points (5g, 8a) in 27 games played during his senior year at Queens University (QUAA) last season. In four seasons at Queens, the Stouffville, Ontario native skated in a total of 91 games with 39 points (11g, 28a). The 6-1, 190  pound defenseman  started his junior hockey career with the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) where he played two seasons where he accumulated 55 points in 96 games. While with the Spokes he had his career best year in 2008 posting 33 points in 49 games (7G, 26A). In 2009 he played one season with the Wellington Dukes (OJHL), and made seven appearances with the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Harris, 24, joins the ‘Blades after logging 26 points (11g, 15a) last season at the University of Connecticut (AHA). In addition, Harris recorded three points in eight games played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League (AHL) last spring.  The 6-1, 185-pound winger racked up a total of 112 points (52g, 60a) during his four-year collegiate career at Connecticut. In 2009, he recorded 51 points (17g,34a) in 51 games for the Melfort Mustangs of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) from 2009-10.

Today's announcement boosts the Everblades roster to 20 players who have agreed to terms for the 2014-15 season. Forwards (13):  Mitch Wahl, Chris Kushneriuk, Kyle Stroh, Alex Lavoie, Mike Cichy, Mike Silengo, Evan Bloodoff, Jason Wilson, Kevin Lynch, Adam Brace, Gabriel Desjardins, Mike Aviani, Brant Harris.  Defensemen (7): Mike Little, Jordan Henry, Tyson Gimblett, Cameron Burt, Kevin Hart, Matt Mangene, and Patrick McEachen.

The Everblades open up their 2014 Training Camp on Friday, October 3, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.

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The Everblades open the 2014-15 season on Friday, October 17 against the South Carolina Stingrays. The first 5,000 fans will receive a magnet Schedule courtesy of Jack's Cleaning!  The two teams will meet again on Saturday, October 18.  Opening Weekend is presented by the Passion Foundation and Riverchase Dermatology. Individual game tickets are currently on sale for the first four home games and preseason games.  To purchase tickets stop by the Capital Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or online at www.ticketmaster.com ---2014-15 Everblades Ticket Packages are currently on sale! Full season, as well as flexible 12 and 24-game options are also available! All packages save you money from the box office price, and come with many great benefits.  For more information call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades Main Office located at Germain Arena, Monday—Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.