The Wandering Disciple

Doesn't matter what you call them...Los Tortugas or the Everblades, one thing remains the same, Florida hits harder. That phrase has become a constant for the Florida Everblades hockey club, one of the most physical teams in the ECHL.  Here is one of the big hits of last nights game against Savannah. Enforcer Kyle Neuber delivers a decisive hit in the first period of the Hispanic Heritage night contest which saw the home team Los Tortugas aka Everblades pick up a shut-out win.  Taken: January 13, 2024 at Hertz Arena (Estero, FL)

The Florida Everblades sport their holiday themed jerseys during the annual Teddy Bear toss game on Saturday night at Hertz Arena. The jersey designed by Jayden Torres features artwork from patients at the Golisano Children's Hospital.  During the second intermission of the game, thousands of teddy bears rained down to ice benefiting children at the hospital. The home team Blades lost the game to South Carolina 2-1 in overtime.  Taken: December 9, 2023 at Hertz Arena (Estero, FL)

Cam Hausinger celebrates his first period goal with his Everblades teammates during last night's game. The Florida Everblades skated to a 3-1 win over the visiting Atlanta Gladiators.  The Florida Everblades are the ECHL affiliates of the Florida Panthers and are the defending Kelly Cup champions. They play their home games at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida.  Taken: November 18, 2023 at Hertz Arena (Estero, FL)

The weather is getting colder in Florida and that can only mean one thing, its hockey time in the Sunshine State. As the temps drop, the action gets hotter as the Florida Everblades begin their 2020-2021 season tonight with a home opener against Jacksonville. After last year's season came to an abrupt end due to COVID-19, this season begins with new measures to keep players and fans safe during the pandemic. (Photo: February 3, 2018)

Joe Cox of the Florida Everblades sets up a breakaway during a 2018 East Coast Hockey League game against the Jacksonville Icemen. The Everblades are minor league hockey team in the South Division of the ECHL and have player development contracts with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL and the Nashville Predators of the NHL. They play at the Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida. The Everblades have won 1 Kelly Cup, 4 conference championships and 7 division championships in their 22 year franchise history. (Photo: February 24, 2020)

Florida Everblades goalie Callum Booth makes a great save on a scoring opportunity by the Greenville Swamp Rabbits during a 2018 East Coast Hockey League game.  The ECHL is one of two minor league hockey leagues that have player development contracts with the NHL.  Players develop their skills on teams like the Everblades in hopes of one day getting their chance in the NHL.  (Photo: February 3, 2018)

The Florida Everblades paid tribute to the public safety heroes on Saturday night as they hosted Public Safety Night at Germain Arena.  For the game, the Everblades wore special edition jerseys that honored law enforcement and fire/EMS. The jersey were auctioned off at the end of the night to benefit MDA.  (Photo: March 17, 2018)

Estero, Florida:  It may be warm outside in Southwest Florida, but inside Germain Arena, the ice is cold and the action is hot.  It is here in this frozen palace where the hockey stars of tomorrow get their chance to shine and fight to be on of only a few who make it all the way to the NHL. I grew up attending AHL hockey games as a kid in Pennsylvania.  Many of nights were spent at Hersheypark Arena watching the Hershey Bears play.  When I moved from PA, I kind of lost sight of live games.  While I still enjoyed the games on TV, it really didn't feel like hockey weather when its almost 90 degrees in winter.  For years I have wanted to take the hour drive south to Germain Arena but never really made it down there.  But on a Saturday night in February, I pulled the trigger and headed to a game. Saturday night's game featured the hometown Florida Everblades hosting the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in an ECHL regular season game.  The ECHL is a mino...