PREVIEW: Everblades commence preseason against Orlando on Friday

ESTERO, Fla. — The Florida Everblades begin preparations for the 2019-20 season with the first of two preseason contests against the Orlando Solar Bears on Friday at Hertz Arena. 

VITALS:Preseason - Game 1: Everblades vs. OrlandoWhen: 7:30 p.m. ETWhere: Hertz ArenaTickets: TicketmasterWatch: No live video streamListen: Mixlr

Series historyThe two teams have battled 92 times in the regular season and faced off 12 times in the regular season last season. Including two preseason matchups and five playoff tilts, they met on 19 occasions a year ago. Florida held a 6-3-2-1 mark against the Solar Bears in the regular season and earned a 4-1 series victory in the South Division Finals. With a game change announced earlier Friday, the two teams will square off 14 times in the regular season this year. 

Players to WatchJon Edwardh (FLA) - The former Adirondack Thunder forward signed with the Everblades this offseason and is coming off a phenomenal rookie campaign. He tied for fifth among all ECHL rookies in scoring with 59 points (27g-32a) and registered 13 multi-point games. The Calgary, Alberta, native finished second among all Thunder players in scoring. The name might sound familiar for 'Blades fans due to a five-point weekend (2g-3a) in a three-game series against the 'Blades back in mid-February. 

Cody Donaghey (ORL) - The defenseman excelled offensively in his second season as a pro in 2018-19, posting 15 goals and 28 assists in 64 games. He ranked third in point production for the Solar Bears and led the team's blueliners in scoring. In 11 contests against the Everblades, Donaghey tabbed eight points (4g-4a) and had a pair of multi-point outings. 

Right on RalphSince being named the Everblades bench boss in the summer of 2016, Brad Ralph has established a culture of consistency and success in Southwest Florida. In six seasons as an ECHL head coach, Ralph ranks fifth in all-time winning percentage (.693). He has pushed that winning percentage even higher in Florida. The 'Blades own the highest winning percentage in the league, a .729 mark, in Ralph's three-year tenure. 

Adding to the Trophy CaseThe 'Blades have claimed the South Division championship in all three seasons under Ralph and now lay claim to seven division championships in team history. Florida has advanced to the Eastern Conference Final in back-to-back seasons and has piled up 50 or more wins in consecutive campaigns for the first time in team history.

Tonight's BroadcastAlthough there will not be a video stream of the preseason games on ECHL.tv, fans can listen to this weekend's preseason games on Mixlr by clicking here. 

​​​​​​Next UpThe two teams will close out the preseason with a 7 p.m. matchup at Hertz Arena on Saturday night. 

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Private tours of Hertz Arena are available to select your season seats! Call the Florida Everblades Front Office at 239-948-7825 to schedule your tour today!

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and AHL's Milwaukee Admirals