ESTERO, Fla. — Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush and Head Coach Brad Ralph announced Tuesday that defenseman Olivier Dame-Malka has agreed to terms with the team for the 2018-19 season.
A native of Montréal, Québec, Dame-Malka, 28, previously played parts of two seasons with the ‘Blades and has recorded 59 career ECHL points in three seasons in the league.
“We are excited to have Olivier back in a ‘Blades jersey,” Ralph said. “He brings experience, grit, a heavy shot, and he’s someone that wants to play hard and be part of the ‘Blades family. We’ll be looking for Olivier to step in and make a big impact on both ends of the ice for us.”
After beginning his career in the AHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the 2011-12 campaign, Dame-Malka went on to play 145 career games in his first stint in the ECHL from 2011-14. A bulk of that time came with the ‘Blades, as the 5-foot-10, 192-pound rear guard appeared in 71 total games with Florida from 2012-2014. The 2013-14 campaign saw Dame-Malka suit up in 49 games for the Everblades, tabbing 19 points on nine goals and 10 assists. His best offensive season in the ECHL came in 2013-14 when he recorded 22 points in 57 total games split between Florida and the Ontario Reign.
Dame-Malka played the last four seasons in Europe, splitting the 2017-18 season with Grenoble (France) and HC Banska Bystrica (Slovakia). The 2017-18 campaign was his best while in Europe, as he posted 22 combined points between the two teams, including 19 points in 23 regular season games for Grenoble. Dame-Malka was a French Cup Champion in his second season in France, registering 10 points in the regular season and 11 more points in the playoffs to help lead Rouen to the 2015-16 championship.
Prior to turning professional, Dame-Malka played four seasons in the QMJHL. He excelled in his last two seasons in the league, recording 30 points for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in 2009-10 and 55 points for the Lewiston MAINEiacs in 2010-11. He finished his junior hockey career with 114 points in 226 career games.
Dame-Malka is the fifth Everblades defenseman to agree to terms for the 2018-19 season, joining Logan Roe, Matt Finn, Derek Sheppard and Ben Masella.
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