SHREWSBURY, N.J. – The ECHL announced today that former Florida Everblades’ forward Matt Hendricks is a 2027 inductee for the ECHL Hall of Fame.
“Matt Hendricks was a star in the ECHL in his first year of pro hockey - a point a game player who played with an edge,” said Florida Everblades President and CEO Craig Brush.
Matt Hendricks began his professional career in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades in 2004-05, recording 50 points (24g-26a) in 54 games and earning a spot in the 2005 ECHL All-Star Classic. After spending the next four seasons in the American Hockey League, he made his National Hockey League debut with Colorado during the 2008-09 season, and went on to total 116 points (54g-62a) in 607 career NHL games with the Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild. Following his retirement, he joined the Wild’s front office, and is currently serving as General Manager and Alternate Governor of the AHL’s Iowa Wild.
“Matt’s drive to get better and to master things like winning faceoffs, killing penalties and becoming a shootout artist is the reason he got to the NHL. And the reason he stayed there for 11 years and played in over 600 games. Now, he has taken that same passion in management. Expect to see Matt running an NHL team someday soon,” Brush said.
Jeff Jakaitis and Derek Nesbitt will join Hendricks in the 2027 Hall of Fame class.The 2027 ECHL Hall of Fame ceremony, presented by BFL CANADA and Sutton Special Risk, will take place at 5:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday, January 27, 2027 at the Grove Hotel Ballroom in Boise, Idaho. The three will be formally inducted as the 19th class of the ECHL Hall of Fame at a banquet that will be held in conjunction with the 2027 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic presented by Project Filter.
“Matt Hendricks was a star in the ECHL in his first year of pro hockey - a point a game player who played with an edge,” said Florida Everblades President and CEO Craig Brush.
Matt Hendricks began his professional career in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades in 2004-05, recording 50 points (24g-26a) in 54 games and earning a spot in the 2005 ECHL All-Star Classic. After spending the next four seasons in the American Hockey League, he made his National Hockey League debut with Colorado during the 2008-09 season, and went on to total 116 points (54g-62a) in 607 career NHL games with the Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild. Following his retirement, he joined the Wild’s front office, and is currently serving as General Manager and Alternate Governor of the AHL’s Iowa Wild.
“Matt’s drive to get better and to master things like winning faceoffs, killing penalties and becoming a shootout artist is the reason he got to the NHL. And the reason he stayed there for 11 years and played in over 600 games. Now, he has taken that same passion in management. Expect to see Matt running an NHL team someday soon,” Brush said.
Jeff Jakaitis and Derek Nesbitt will join Hendricks in the 2027 Hall of Fame class.The 2027 ECHL Hall of Fame ceremony, presented by BFL CANADA and Sutton Special Risk, will take place at 5:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday, January 27, 2027 at the Grove Hotel Ballroom in Boise, Idaho. The three will be formally inducted as the 19th class of the ECHL Hall of Fame at a banquet that will be held in conjunction with the 2027 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic presented by Project Filter.
---
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.
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.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
New Mexico Goatheads
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trenton Ironhawks
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers