Heard Returns from Charlotte; Nedeljkovic Recalled by Hurricanes

ESTERO, FL – Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Brad Ralph announced Tuesday that forward Mitchell Heard (pictured above) has returned to the team from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL).  In addition, goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic has been recalled by the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Heard, 25, returns to the Everblades where he has registered six points (3g, 3a) in five games this season.  In addition, the 6-1, 205-pound center has logged four assists in 36 appearances with the Checkers.   Heard has tallied 39 points (14g, 25a) with 500 penalty minutes in 195 career AHL games, while accumulating 54 points in 50 career ECHL games.  The Bowmanville, Ontario native was a second round draft selection of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Nedeljkovic (nuh-DELL-coe-VICH), 20, returns to Carolina (NHL) for his second call up this season.  Nedeljkovic made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes on January 17 in a relief effort where he stopped all 17 shots faced.  This season, the 6-0, 190-pound netminder has totaled an 8-14-0 mark, with a 3.40 goals-against-average and a 0.881 save percentage with Charlotte, while logging a 4-4-0 mark with a 3.64 goals-against-average and a 0.885 save percentage with the Everblades. The Parma, Ohio native is a second-round (#37 overall) draft selection of the Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

The Florida Everblades are back in action at Germain Arena on Wednesday (March 29) against the Kalamazoo Wings.  Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Fans can also catch the game broadcast on WJBX News, Talk & More on 101.5-FM.104.3-FM, 770-AM or by CLICKING HERE. Fans can also watch the game online at ECHL.TV

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions 

Wednesday, March 29 vs. Kalamazoo, 7:30 p.m. – The final $2 Wednesday of the season!  Fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs, $2 beers, $2 wines all night long! Wednesday is also College Night.  College students receive a $5 tickets with free parking when they present their College ID at Germain Arena.

Friday, March 31 vs. Kalamazoo, 7:30 p.m. – Joins us for dinner & hockey, as kids eat FREE in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree! The first 400 fans will receive FREE passes to the Naples Zoo!   There will also be a Jason's Deli giveaway as well!  We will be celebrating youth hockey throughout the night with the Junior Everblades Hiockey Association.

Saturday, April 1 vs. Kalamazoo, 7:00 p.m. – First 500 fans (aged 12 and under) will receive a FREE Everblades Jersey courtesy of Wendy's!   It is also Storybook Prince & Princess Night, featuring themed characters and photo booth in the concourse!  From 5-7 p.m. there will be live music and bounce houses for the kids!

Ticket InformationGame Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online at  www.ticketmaster.com

Special 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###