Brad Ralph Receives John Brophy Award as ECHL Coach of the Year

ESTERO, FL – The Florida Everblades along with the ECHL on Tuesday announced that Florida head coach Brad Ralph is the 2017-18 recipient of the John Brophy Award as the league’s Coach of the Year.

The John Brophy Award is the trophy presented annually to the ECHL coach selected to have contributed the most to his team’s success as selected in a vote of league coaches. The trophy is named for John Brophy, who won a record three ECHL titles with Hampton Roads in 1991, 1992 and 1998, and was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2009.Aaron Schneekloth of Colorado finished second in the voting, followed by Manchester’s Richard Seeley, Ryam Warsofsky of South Carolina and Toledo’s Dan Watson.

Ralph led the Everblades to a 53-13-6 record, their third South Division title in the last four seasons and the club’s third Brabham Cup in team history. The Everblades’ 112 points set a new club record while the 53 wins tied the most in team history, which was originally set in the 1999-2000 season. Florida went 26-7-3 on the road, tying the record for the most road wins in a single season in the ECHL’s 30-year history. Ralph also earned the right to coach in the CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic for the second consecutive season.In two seasons as Everblades’ head coach, Ralph is 99-34-11 and he is 231-98-31 in five ECHL seasons with Florida and Idaho. He went 48-20-4 in one season as head coach of Kelowna in the Western Hockey League in 2015-16, and also has previous coaching experience with Augusta of the Southern Professional Hockey League.

This past Saturday (April 7)  against Jacksonville, Ralph earned his 350th coaching victory.

John Brophy Award Winners (ECHL Coach of the Year)2017-18           Brad Ralph, Florida Everblades2016-17           Dan Watson, Toledo Walleye2015-16           Richard Matvichuk, Missouri Mavericks2014-15           Derek Lalonde, Toledo Walleye2013-14           Spencer Carbery, South Carolina Stingrays2012-13           Jarrod Skalde, Cincinnati Cyclones2011-12           Rob Murray, Alaska AcesJohn Wroblewski, Gwinnett Gladiators2010-11           Brent Thompson, Alaska Aces2009-10           Derek Laxdal, Idaho Steelheads2008-09           Rick Kowalsky, Trenton Devils2007-08           Chuck Weber, Cincinnati Cyclones2006-07           Davis Payne, Alaska Aces2005-06           Glen Gulutzan, Las Vegas Wranglers2004-05           Nick Vitucci, Toledo Storm2003-04           Pat Bingham, Wheeling Nailers2002-03           Claude Noel, Toledo Storm2001-02           Dave Farrish, Louisiana Ice Gators2000-01           Troy Ward, Trenton Titans1999-00           Bob Ferguson, Florida Everblades1998-99           Bob Ferguson, Florida Everblades1997-98           Chris Nilan, Chesapeake IceBreakers1996-97           Brian McCutcheon, Columbus Chill1995-96           Roy Sommer, Richmond Renegades1994-95           Jim Playfair, Dayton Bombers1993-94           Barry Smith, Knoxville Cherokees1992-93           Kurt Kleinendorst, Raleigh IceCaps1991-92           Doug Sauter, Winston-Salem Thunderbirds1990-91           Don Jackson, Knoxville Cherokees1989-90           Dave Allison, Virginia Lancers1988-89           Ron Hansis, Erie Panthers

2018 Playoff Tickets On Sale Now! 

Florida (1) vs. Atlanta (4) – Best-of-Seven SeriesGame 1:  Monday, April 16th – 7:30pm, Germain Arena  PURCHASE TICKETSGame 2:  Tuesday, April 17th – 7:30pm,  Germain Arena  PURCHASE TICKETSGame 3:  Thursday, April 19th – 7:35pm, Infinite Energy ArenaGame 4:  Friday, April 20th – 7:35pm, Infinite Energy ArenaGame 5:  Sunday, April 22nd – 2:05pm, Infinite Energy Arena  (If necessary)Game 6: Tuesday, April 24th – 7:30pm – Germain Arena (If necessary)Game 7:  Wednesday, April 25th – 7:30pm – Germain Arena (If necessary)

Ticket Information

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

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.

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

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