ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades announced Thursday that Head Coach Greg Poss has accepted the head coaching position with EC Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian Hockey League.

Poss, 51, coached the Everblades for six seasons totaling a 247-144-41 record, along with 31 postseason victories, and guided the team to a Kelly Cup Championship in 2012.  Poss was also selected as head coach of the ECHL All-Star team in 2015.

“I am very happy for Greg’s new opportunity,” said Everblades President & General Manager Craig Brush.  “Greg has done a great job the past six years as the head coach of the Everblades.  As we are all aware, he is the only coach in our team’s history to win a Kelly Cup, and for that, I will be forever indebted to him.  We wish Greg well in his new coaching endeavor.”

EC Red Bull Salzburg is one of the premier teams in all of Europe, and has won titles in back-to-back seasons.

Prior to Florida, Poss spent the 2009-10 season in the ECHL as an assistant coach with the Ontario Reign. He spent eight seasons as a head coach in the German Elite League (DEL) with Iserlohn, Nuremberg and Mannheim. In 2006-07 helped Mannheim become the first team in DEL history to finish in first place in the regular season, win the inter-league tournament and capture the league championship in the same year after leading the club to a 35-9-8 record. Poss’ coaching resume also includes national team experience.

“It has been a great six years, and I have truly enjoyed my working relationship with Craig Brush,” said Poss.  “We were able to accomplish a lot during this time. This includes developing many players to the next level, and winning a championship in 2012.  I really want to thank my two assistant coaches during my time with the team in Brad Tapper and Tad O’Had for all of their hard work. I also want to thank all of the staff and fans that helped make this a fun six seasons in Southwest Florida.”

As a player, Poss played at the University of Wisconsin from 1985-89, while playing three professional seasons split between the American Hockey League’s Maine Mariners and the IHL’s Peoria Rivermen.

Brush also commented on Thursday that he will now begin the search for the fifth head coach in the team’s 18-year history.

2016-17 Season Opener! The Everblades are already preparing for the 2016-17 season, which begins at home on October 14 & 15 against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits!

To view the team’s complete schedule for the 2016-17 regular season CLICK HERE

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 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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