Everblades Acquire Forward Ray Kaunisto

ESTERO, FL – Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Greg Poss announced today that the team has acquired forward Ray Kaunisto from the Evansville IceMen in exchange for future considerations.   In a separate transaction, the team has traded defenseman Tyson Gimblett to the Missouri Mavericks in exchange for future considerations.

Kaunisto, 28, was originally acquired by Evansville on Wednesday from the Kalamazoo Wings before being dealt to the Everblades on Thursday.  The 6-4, 185-pound forward has posted 14 points (5g, 9a) in 43 games played this season with Kalamazoo.  The 6-4, 185-pound forward has appeared in 160 career American Hockey League (AHL) games totaling 40 points in stints with Manchester, St. John’s, Syracuse, Lake Erie, and Utica from 2010-2014.

Kaunisto recorded career highs in points (23), assists (16) and penalty minutes (113) in 53 games played with the Colorado Eagles (ECHL) during the 2012-13 season.

The Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan native played four seasons at Northern Michigan University from 2006-2010.

Gimblett heads to Missouri having totaled 8 points (2g, 6a) in 28 games played this season.  Gimblett totaled 20 points (7g, 13a) and 252 penalty minutes in 2.5 seasons played with the Everblades from 2013-2015.

The two trades come hours after the Everblades acquired high-scoring forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel from the Gwinnett Gladiators in exchange for forwards Jason Wilson, Jeff Silengo, and financial considerations.

Thursday was the deadline for ECHL member teams to make trades for the 2014-15 season.

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions

Friday, March 13, vs. Greenville, 7:30 p.m. 

Saturday, March 14, vs. Greenville, 7:00 p.m. --  Guns N Hoses Night!  Come watch local police and firefighters battle it out on the ice at 5:15 p.m.  The Everblades will wear special Guns N Hoses jerseys which will be auctioned off following the game for charity.Hearts & Hockey Ticket Packs are still available for just $50!*T-Shirt*Autographed Puck*4-Endzone Ticket Vouchers which can be redeemed for any game this season.

To order, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades main office at Germain Arena. Hearts & Hockey Packs are also available on game nights at the Everblades information table located in the concourse.

Ticket Information

Game Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Century Link Prism Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online atwww.ticketmaster.com

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and also receive an Everblades souvenir! Group tickets are available for all home games. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825.

12 & 24 Game Ticket Packages are currently on sale!  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.