ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades are pleased to announce that Rob Florentino has been selected as the recipient of the 2015-16 ECHL Community Service Award.

Each ECHL team was given the opportunity to nominate a player for their efforts in community and charitable causes during the 2015-16 season. The nominations were voted on by League Office personnel.

For the second straight season, Florentino served as the spokesman for Laces of Love, which is a local organization designed to collect shoes for children who are less fortunate. This year’s campaign resulted in nearly 500 new pairs of shoes being collected and raised an additional $400 to purchase additional shoes.

In December, Florentino joined several Everblades’ teammates to deliver teddy bears to the patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. He took the lead in entering rooms and engaged in much of the conversation. Florentino went on to make several solo visits to the hospital as the season progressed.

In January, the Everblades hosted a charity golf tournament and auction to raise funds for the For the Kids Foundation, a local organization designed to improve the quality of life and attitudes of children in long-term care at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Florentino donated several auction items, including a private hockey lesson and a private dinner party resulting in nearly $5,000 of the over $30,000 raised during the event.

On April 2, Florentino had his long, flowing hair cut for the Wigs for Kids cause. His hair was donated to help build a wig for a child battling cancer. In addition, a Go Fund Me page was set and nearly $2,800 was donated to the cause. The money raised was enough to cover the cost of production of the wig.

Florentino and his teammates also took part in teaching children the basics of hockey at the Heights Foundation in Fort Myers.The other nominees for the 2015-16 ECHL Community Service Award were: Luke Curadi (Adirondack), Gary Steffes (Allen), Tyler Shiplo (Atlanta), Bryan Pitton (Brampton), Christiaan Minella (Cincinnati), Kris Lazaruk (Colorado), Mark Bennett (Elmira), Nathan Moon (Evansville), Mike Embach (Fort Wayne), Justin DaSilva (Greenville), Andre Carroll (Idaho), Zach Miskovic (Indy), Ben Wilson (Kalamazoo), Matt MacKenzie (Manchester), Eric Neilson (Missouri), Jordan Hill (Norfolk), Eric Baier (Orlando), Kevin Gibson (Quad City), Brett Kostolansky (Rapid City), Adam Morrison (Reading), Marcus Perrier (South Carolina), Tyler Sikura (Toledo), Adam Pleskach (Tulsa), Mathieu Aubin and Cam Wojtala (Utah), Mathew Maione (Wheeling) and Dan Milan (Wichita).

ECHL Community Service Award Winners

2015-16           Rob Florentino          Florida Everblades

2014-15             Cal Wild                            Brampton Beast

2013-14            Dan Eves                           Cincinnati Cyclones

2012-13           Andy Brandt                      Gwinnett Gladiators

2011-12            Jason Fredricks               Ontario Reign

2010-11            Chris Frank                     Elmira Jackals

Dustin Sproat                  Cincinnati Cyclones

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions

Friday, April 8 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m.Fan Appreciation Weekend begins!  Everyone will receive a FREE Everblades team photo courtesy of FGCU & Direct Impressions....The first 200 fans will receive a FREE ticket to Naples Zoo! There will be prizes and giveaways all night long! Following the game there will be an auction of hockey portraits painted by Evebrlades players which will benefit the For the Kids Foundation.  Saturday, April 9 vs. Orlando, 7:00 p.m.Fan Appreciation Weekend continues! The first 5,000 fans will receive a FREE rally card!  Fans will receive a Wawa food voucher as they exit the arena...The Everblades team awards ceremony will take place prior to the game  More prizes and giveaways handed out to fans throughout the night!  The white jerseys the team wore this season will be auctioned off following the game.  

Ticket Information

Game Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank 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.

2016-17 Season Ticket Plans Now Available:  Full  and flexible partial season ticket plans are  currently available for the 2016-17 season. We offer several tickets packages designed to help fit your budget and schedule. For more information, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the team’s main office located at Germain Arena from Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Fans may also stop by our sales tables located in the concourse at Everblades games. .

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes###