Everblades Acquire Defenseman Jake Baker; Add Louis Belisle

ESTERO, FL – Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Brad Ralph announced Wednesday that the team has acquired defenseman Jake Baker (pictured above) from the Quad City Mallards in exchange for defenseman Alex Kuqali.  In addition, the Everblades have agreed to terms with forward Louis Belisle.

Baker, 25, joins the Everblades with one assist in 10 appearances with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL this season, as is scoreless in three games played with Quad City. The 6-5, 225-pound defenseman totaled 25 points (8g, 17a) and 169 penalty minutes in 144 games during his collegiate career with Northern Michigan University from 2011-2015.

Belisle, 25, joins the Everblades with 23 points (9g, 14a) in 30 games with the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). The 5-9, 175-pound forward totaled 60 points (28g, 32a) in 86 games with the Columbus Cottonmouths (SPHL) from 2014-2016. Belisle also totaled 73 points (42g, 31a) during his 100-game collegiate career with Middlebury College.

Kuqali joins Quad City after logging ten assists in 35 games played with the Everblades this season.

Baker was assigned to the Everblades from Manitoba (AHL) on Wednesday and will be available for tonight’s game against Greenville at Germain Arena.  Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Fans can catch the game broadcast on WJBX News, Talk & More on 101.5-FM.104.3-FM, 770-AM or by CLICKING HEREUpcoming Home Games & PromotionsWednesday, February 1 vs. Greenville, 7:30 p.m. – Yet another $2 Wednesday! $2 Beers, Wines & Hot Dogs all night long!   College students receive a $5 ticket w/ free parking when they present their College ID at Germain Arena.

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.comSpecial Offer!  Purchase any new ticket package for the 2016-17 season, and receive an Everblades jersey t-shirt and a $20 gift card from Ford's Garage!  Locations include Cape Coral, Downtown Fort Myers and Miromar Outlets in Estero.  We offer several tickets packages designed to help fit your budget and schedule.

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###