ESTERO, Fla. — The Florida Everblades finished the regular season in dominant fashion, sweeping the Reading Royals with a 4-1-win Friday and a 3-2 victory Saturday night. Florida surged down the stretch, earning points in each of their final 12 games (10-0-1-1) to cap off another elite campaign. 

The Blades finished just shy of the 50-win mark at 49-13-7-3, marking back-to-back seasons with 49 victories. Their 13 regulation losses are tied for the fewest in a single season in franchise history.

In total, Brad Ralph’s group secured the second-best record in the ECHL with 108 points, trailing only the Brabham Cup champion Kansas City Mavericks (55-12-3-2, 115 points). Florida’s 108 points were 14 clear of South Carolina in the South Division and 10 ahead of Wheeling, finishing atop the Eastern Conference.

Locked in Between the Pipes

Goaltender Cam Johnson closed out the regular season in peak form, earning Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors for the second time this season and sixth time in his career. The Troy, Michigan native helped Florida secure a sweep over Reading, posting a 2-0-0-0 record last week along with a 1.50 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. Johnson turned aside 24 of 25 shots in Friday’s series opener and followed it up with a 23-save effort Saturday, including a penalty shot stop to help seal the sweep. 

Following Friday’s triumph Everblades Head Coach and General Manager Brad Ralph praised his netminder.

“I thought in the first period in particular Reading played really well, and Cam made some big saves,” Ralph said. “He is such a calming factor for us and gives us so much confidence that we can keep building throughout the game. His career with the Everblades has been phenomenal, and hopefully there’s lots more to go.”

The 31-year-old netminder was lights out to close the season, going 8-0-1-1 over his final 10 starts with a .928 save percentage and 1.79 goals-against average. Johnson held opponents to two goals or fewer in nine of those 10 starts dating back to March 18 and has not lost in regulation since March 15, a 3-2 setback against Jacksonville. 

The seventh-year Everblade led the ECHL in wins (31), goals-against average (1.84), games played (49), and minutes (2,965), while his .923 save percentage ranked fourth. Johnson was named to the ECHL First All-Star Team for the second consecutive season and became just the fourth goaltender in league history to record back-to-back 30-plus win seasons. His 49 games matched a career high, while his 1.84 goals-against average set a new career best and his .923 save percentage ranked as the second highest of his career. 

Rewriting the Record Book 

Defenseman Jordan Sambrook delivered a historic campaign, rewriting the ECHL record books with a +62 rating while appearing in all 72 games. The Markham, Ontario native was named the 2025-26 AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Year, as his +62 stands as the highest mark in the league’s 38-year history. 

After finishing second in the league last season with a +37 rating, Sambrook elevated his game even further, posting an even or better rating in 64 of 72 contests and recording a +3 or higher seven times. He closed out the regular season at a +8 over his final six games, adding three assists during that stretch. 

The 28-year-old defenseman was also named to the ECHL Second All-Star Team, setting career highs across the board with 47 points (nine goals, 38 assists). His 47 points rank as the fourth-most by a defenseman in a single season in Everblades history.

Following his Second All-Star Team recognition, Everblades Head Coach and General Manager Brad Ralph spoke to Sambrook’s impact. 

“He’s had a tremendous second half, certainly shows in his plus-minus, but he’s been a big force for us both offensively and defensively,” Ralph said.

Standout Performers

Cole Moberg – Notched three points over the two-game set against Reading, recording an assist Friday before finishing the series with a goal and an assist Saturday while earning third-star honors. The North Vancouver, British Columbia native totaled 11 points (5g-6a) over his final 11 games.

Anthony Romano – The Everblades’ leading goal scorer delivered to close out the season, posting back-to-back multi-point performances against Reading. Romano recorded a goal and an assist Friday before netting a pair of goals Saturday, earning first-star honors in both contests. He finished the season with a team-leading 62 points (26g-36a), tied for 15th most in the ECHL. 

Hudson Elynuik – Helped drive Florida’s offense in the final weekend, collecting three points (1g-2a) over the two-game set. Elynuik added his ninth multi-point performance of the season Friday and finished tied for sixth on the team in scoring with 35 points. The Calgary, Alberta native recorded five points over his final four games. 

Sam Stange – The rookie forward shined against the Royals, dishing out three assists over the two-game set. Stange closed his first pro season at over a point-per-game pace with 27 points in 26 games. The 25-year-old ranked second among rookies and fourth in the ECHL with a 21.9 percent shooting percentage.

By the Numbers 

Florida finished the regular season the hottest team on home ice earning points in each of their final 19 games at Hertz Arena posting a 15-0-2-2 mark since January 30. The Everblades 25 home wins are third most of any team while their five regulation losses are the fewest by any team. 

The Everblades 44 first goals were tied for the league lead and there .875 points percentage was the best of any team in the ECHL finishing with a 36-3-5 mark when scoring the game’s first goal. Craig Needham led the Blades with 6 first goals tied for fifth most in the ECHL. 

Brad Ralph’s group set the ECHL record for fewest goals allowed in a single season at 142 and a 1.97 goals-against per game average. The next closest team allowed 17 more goals.

Florida held opponents to a league low 24.47 shots per game and allowed 20 or fewer shots against in 16 contests. The Everblades outshot their opponents in 60 of their 72 games and posted a mark of 8-1-2-1 in the 12 games they were outshot. 

Sean Allen finished second in the ECHL with 164 penalty minutes and Connor Doherty’s 40 minor penalties were tied for second most in the league. Oliver Cooper led the Blades with nine fights during the regular season, tied for fourth most in the ECHL.

Florida did not lose any of their 11 meetings against North Division opponents in regulation going 8-0-2-1. 

Brad Ralph has never missed qualifying for the playoffs throughout his 16-year coaching career. Ralph earned his 700^th career coaching win combined between the ECHL, SPHL and WHL April 11 against South Carolina. In the ECHL Ralph owns a 584-242-97 record including a 452-178-77 career record with the Everblades.

Weekly Rewind (2-0-0-0)

Friday: Florida 4, Reading 1  | Game Sheet

The Everblades opened the final weekend of the regular season with a 4-1 win over the Reading Royals Friday night at Hertz Arena. Reid Duke opened the scoring with a rebound goal in the first period before Reading evened the game in the second. Florida responded with three unanswered goals, as Anthony Romano restored the lead, Patrick Kyte added insurance, and Hudson Elynuik sealed the win with an empty-net tally. Cam Johnson turned aside 24 of 25 shots to earn the victory.

Saturday: Florida 3, Reading 2 | Game Sheet

Florida completed the weekend sweep with a 3-2 victory over Reading Saturday night. Cole Moberg gave the Everblades an early lead in the opening period, while Anthony Romano netted a pair of goals, including the eventual game-winner in the third. Sam Stange recorded two assists, and Hudson Elynuik added a helper in the win. Cam Johnson made 23 saves, including a penalty shot stop, as Florida held off a late Royals push to secure the sweep.