Coaches Named for 2018 ECHL All-Star Classic; Ralph Recognized

ESTERO, FL. - The ECHL has announced the coaches for the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, to be hosted by the Indy Fuel on Monday, Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. ET at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The game will air LIVE exclusively on NHL Network.

Everblades Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Ralph was recognized by the league on Friday for being eligible to coach in the CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic as the Everblades had the Eastern Conference’s best winning percentage through games as of Dec. 23, 2017.  However, Ralph will coach the Everblades during their scheduled regular season game at Atlanta which takes place on the same day as the ECHL All-Star Classic on Jan. 15

Ralph coached in the 2017 ECHL All-Star Classic which took place in Glens Falls, New York on January 18 of last year.

South Carolina Stingrays’ head coach Ryan Warsofsky will serve as head coach of the South Division All-Stars, while Colorado Eagles’ head coach Aaron Schneekloth will serve as head coach of the Mountain Division All-Stars by virtue of the Eagles having the top winning percentage in the Western Conference through games of Dec. 23, 2017.  Bernie John of the host Indy Fuel will serve as head coach for the Central Division All-Stars, while a celebrity coach will lead the North Division All-Stars.

Ralph, earned his 300th career coaching win on October 20, 2017 at Atlanta earlier this season. Last Season, Ralph guided the Everblades to a 46-win season and a second-round playoff appearance.  During the 2015-16 season, Ralph coached the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL) to a 48-20-4 record and a third-round appearance in the playoffs. Ralph coached the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL for three seasons (2012-2015) totaling a 132-64-20 mark along with three postseason appearances.   Ralph began his coaching career with the SPHL’s Augusta RiverHawks (2010-2012), and led his team to the league finals in his first year.

As a player, Ralph appeared in 383 professional games split between the ECHL and AHL, while making his lone NHL appearance with the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2000-01 season.

Fourteen coaches from the ECHL All-Star Game have gone on to coach in the National Hockey League while 67 players from the contest have gone on to play in the NHL, including 51 since 2002 when the lineups began having players who coaches felt were prospects to move up to a higher level.

The Everblades return to the ice this afternoon at 3:05 p.m. when they battle the South Carolina Stingrays at the North Charleston Coliseum. Today's game broadcast is online only courtesy of the 99.3 ESPN Radio Online Stream by CLICKING HERE. Fans can also watch the game online at ECHL.TVUpcoming Home Games

Friday,  January 12, vs. Jacksonville, 7:30 p.m. Faith & Family Night!  For every Friday night game this season, kids eat free in the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree!

Ticket Information

Purchase Single Game Tickets at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or online via Ticketmaster by CLICKING HERE

2017-18 Ticket Packages are Currently on Sale!  Flexible partial plans are available. These packages will best fit your schedule and budget!  To view pricing and benefits of all available ticket packages CLICK HERE

SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase a new ticket package for the 2017-18 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford's Garage!

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price!  Group tickets are available for all home games. Fundraising opportunities are also available. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the Everblades offices at Germain Arena Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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