WHO: Florida Everblades (0-0-0-0) vs. Orlando Solar Bears (0-0-0-0)

BROADCAST: Watch all the thrilling action of Florida Everblades hockey all season long on FloHockey.TV and locally on the Heroes & Icons Network. Listen to the exciting game coverage on the FAN at 94.1, 103.3, and 105.9 FM and online at Everblades.mixlr.com.

ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades get back to business on Saturday night as they begin their journey towards another Kelly Cup Championship. The 2026-27 ECHL season kicks off for Florida at 7 p.m. on October 17 against the Orlando Solar Bears at Hertz Arena.
 
The Everblades and Solar Bears know each other all too well, matching up 14 times last season with Florida winning 12 of those games. Saturday’s meeting marks the first of 15 matchups between these rivals this season. Florida will conclude its opening weekend with a trip to Orlando on Sunday for a 5 p.m. puck drop.
 
Last season, the Everblades added to the storied history of this great organization, winning their fourth Kelly Cup in the last five seasons and fifth championship overall. Florida finished the regular season with a record of 49-13-7-3, which placed them atop the South Division. Orlando ended last season with a 29-38-4-1 record, seventh in the South Division.
 
In the playoffs, the Everblades showed no signs of weakness. In the South Division Semifinals against the Savannah Ghost Pirates, Florida swept the series in four games. Then, it took five games each to get through the South Carolina Stingrays in the second round and the Wheeling Nailers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Finally, the Everblades dismantled the Kansas City Mavericks in six games to capture the Kelly Cup.
 
With many changes coming to the team this season including a new affiliation with the Pittsburgh Penguins, some things remain the same. 10 players who won the Kelly Cup with the team last season will return to try and deliver glory to Southwest Florida once again.
 
There is one last step before regular season hockey can commence, a banner raising. Before puck drop on Saturday night, the Everblades will raise their fifth championship banner into the rafters above Hertz Arena.

JOIN THE FUN
Season ticket plans for the 2026-27 campaign are on sale now! Become a Blades 365 Member for the 2026-27 season and enjoy incredible savings and benefits! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits, and options, click HERE.

Group Packages are available for a group of 10 or more! Everblades put FUN in FUNdraising! There is no handling of money or tickets, and no limit on how much your group can raise with the Everblades' easy-to-run online Fundraiser! For more information, or to reserve a Fundraiser Night at an Everblades regular-season home game, call or text (239) 948-7825.
 
Grab the newest and hottest Everblades merchandise by checking out the entire collection that is available online by visiting shop.floridaeverblades.com or at the Hertz Arena Pro Shop!
 
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Watch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on The Fan on 94.1 FM, 103.3 FM, 105.9 FM and online at Everblades.mixlr.com. Stay up to date by following the Blades on social media with all the latest news, scores, and promotions on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X.