ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades add eight to roster as camp opens

Published on October 8, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - Florida Everblades President & General Manager Craig Brush, along with Head Coach Gerry Fleming announced today that the team has added eight players to the roster bringing their 2007-08 training camp roster to 22.

The additions to the roster are: Forwards Derek Damon, Rick Ferroni, and Adam Taylor; Defensemen Jordan Henry, Frank MacDonald, and Ryan Van Buskirk; Goaltenders Justin Peters and Tyler Plante.

Damon returns to the Everblades after completing his rookie season with the Everblades in 2006-07. The 26-year-old registered 48 points (20g, 28a) in 56 regular season games last season and chipped in seven points (5g, 2a) in 16 Kelly Cup Playoff games. Prior to turning pro, Damon wrapped up a four-year collegiate career at the University of Maine. In 2005-06 the native of Bangor, Maine picked up 35 points (15g, 20a) in 40 games as a senior with the Black Bears before making his pro debut by skating in three games with Lowell in the AHL. Overall Damon compiled 111 points in 159 career games at the University of Maine.

Taylor, 23, returns to the Everblades where he completed the 2006-07 season by scoring 41 points (21g, 20a) in 37 regular season games and adding 12 points (3g, 9a) in 16 Kelly Cup Playoff games. The Campbell River, BC native dressed for four total teams last year, beginning the season with the Victoria Salmon Kings where he collected six points (1g, 5a) in 15 games before being traded to the Ice Pilots where he notched 11 points (3g, 8a) in 15 games. After the Everblades acquired him, Taylor also played in five games with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. The 2007-08 season will be Taylor's third as a pro.

MacDonald is back for his second season with the Everblades. The 22-year-old split his rookie season between the Everblades and Rochester. MacDonald began the season with the Americans, collecting two assists in 11 games before being assigned to the Everblades by the Florida Panthers. Once with the 'Blades the Sydney, Nova Scotia native tallied 24 points (4g, 20a) in 56 regular season games, and chipped in with six points (1g, 5a) in 16 Kelly Cup Playoff games. Prior to turning pro in 2006-07, MacDonald spent three seasons at the junior level with the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League where he totaled 73 points in 186 career QMJHL games.

Van Buskirk also makes his return to the Everblades after finishing off the 2006-07 campaign in Southwest Florida. The 27-year-old ended the regular season by skating in 29 games with the Everblades, scoring one goal and adding 12 assists, while amassing 74 penalty minutes. Van Buskirk began the 2006-07 season with the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League where he picked up two assists and 50 PIM in 11 games. This season will be the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native's third stint with the Everblades having also spent the 2003-04 season with Florida, skating in 27 games and notching 15 points (2g, 13a) and 50 penalty minutes that year.

Peters, 21, made his rookie debut in 2006-07, playing in 34 games with the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League. Peters compiled a record of 10-18-0, with a 3.26 goals against average and a .886 save percentage with the River Rats last season. The former 2nd round draft pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2004 also saw action in one game with the Everblades last year, picking up a tie after a shootout loss to South Carolina on March 13. Prior to turning pro, Peters spent four years at the junior level in the Ontario Hockey League with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors and the Plymouth Whalers. Overall the native of Blythe, Ontario put together a record of 88-68-14, with a 2.88 GAA in 189 career OHL games.

One of the newcomers to the Everblades, Henry joins the Everblades after wrapping up his junior career with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. The 21-year-old notched 32 points (7g, 25a) and 162 PIM in 72 games with the Rebels last year. The Milo, Alberta native played a total of four years in the WHL compiling 73 points (12g, 61a) in 270 games.

Also new to the squad, Plante, 20, completes the Everblades goaltending tandem as he prepares to begin his rookie campaign. The former 2nd round draft pick by the Florida Panthers in 2005 completeled his junior career last season with a record of 30-14-9, and a 2.71 GAA in 54 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. A native of Brandon, Manitoba, Plante saw his best junior season come in 2004-05 when he won a career-high 34 games and had a career-best 2.58 GAA in 48 games with the Wheat Kings. Over his four-year junior career, Plante amassed a record of 80-49-21 with a 2.88 GAA in 164 games.

Ferroni joins the Everblades training camp roster on a try-out basis. The 25-year-old native of Stoney Creek, Ontario enters camp after playing 22 games last season with Arizona State University men's ice hockey team.

Experience the excitement of the Everblades 10th Anniversary season! The 2007-08 season begins on Friday, October 19 when the 'Blades host the Mississippi Sea Wolves at 7:30 p.m. from Germain Arena! Individual tickets to all Everblades home games are on sale now! Stop by the Germain Arena box office to reserve your seat for all the exciting action! Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

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