'Blades Acquire Curt Gogol from Colorado; Add Akim Aliu

Photo Credit Standout Imagery & Micheline Veluvolu

ESTERO, FL – Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Brad Ralph announced Tuesday that team has acquired forward Curt Gogol from the Colorado Eagles in exchange for future considerations.  In addition, the team has agreed to terms with defenseman/forward Akim Aliu.

Gogol, 25, joins the Everblades after posting 19 points (6g, 13a) with 79 penalty minutes in 24 games played with the Colorado Eagles (ECHL) last season.  In addition, the 6-1, 195-pound winger was also scoreless with 30 penalty minutes in seven appearances with the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL).  Gogol has logged 25 points (15g, 10a) in 179 career AHL games split between Ontario, the Worcester Sharks (2011-2014) and Iowa Wild (2014-2015).  The Calgary, Alberta native won a Western Hockey League (WHL) Championship with the Kelowna Rockets in 2009.

Aliu, 27, spent the 2015-16 season in Russia with the KHL’s Amur Khabarovsk where he registered seven points with 52 penalty minutes in 19 games. The versatile 6-4, 225-pounder has accrued 71 points (44g, 27a) in 222 career AHL games.  The Okene, Nigeria native posted two goals and an assist in seven appearances with the NHL’s Calgary Flames from 2012-2013.  Aliu was originally selected in the by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Both Gogol and Aliu will be available to play in Wednesday’s game against the Elmira Jackals at Germain Arena. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.Upcoming Home Games & PromotionsWednesday, December 7 vs. Elmira, 7:30 p.m. – $2 Wednesdays! $2 Beers, Wines & Hot Dogs all night long!  Wednesday's are also College Night.  College students receive a $5 ticket w/ free parking when they present their College ID at Germain Arena.

Friday, December 9 vs. Elmira, 7:30 p.m. – Kids eat FREE in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the  purchase of an adult entree!

Saturday, December 10 vs. Elmira, 7:00 p.m. – Annual IBERIABANK Teddy Bear Toss!  Fans are encouraged to bring a new teddy bear or stuffed animal to the game to throw onto the ice when the Everblades score their first goal.   All of the teddy bears will be rounded up and delivered to local children's charities for the holidays!

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

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.

Special Offer!  Purchase any new ticket package for the 2016-17 season, and receive a $20 gift card from Ford's Garage!  Locations include Cape Coral, Downtown Fort Myers and Miromar Outlets in Estero.

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

This release courtesy of Fort Myers Technical College & Cape Coral Technical College

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