Blades Add Winger Nikiforov to Roster
August 25, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Greg Poss announced today that forward Vladimir Nikiforov has signed a contract for the 2010-11 season, making him the ninth player signed by the Everblades for the upcoming season.
Nikiforov (pronounced: nick-eh-FOR-ahv) joins the Everblades after spending the majority of the past two seasons with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. In 2009-10 the 22-year-old tallied 51 points (19g, 32a) and 22 penalty minutes in 61 games with the Grizzlies.
In his rookie campaign in 2008-09 Nikiforov attended training camp with the New York Islanders American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and began the season there. In 19 total games with the Sound Tigers during the year, the 5-foot-8, 170 pound winger notched five points (1g, 4a) and 19 PIM.
During the remainder of the '08-'09 season Nikiforov registered 33 points (10g, 23a) and 10 PIM in 45 regular season games with the Grizzlies and chipped in five points in five Kelly Cup Playoff games.
"Vlady is high skilled, fast, dynamic player," Poss said. "He's strong on beating players 1-on-1 and has put together two good years of production at the ECHL level. We'll be looking for him to be one of our top forwards, and should be a real fun player for our fans to watch."
Prior to joining the professional ranks Nikiforov, who was born in Lithuania, but grew up on Long Island in Hauppauge, NY, played three seasons at the junior level in the Ontario Hockey League with the Barrie Colts and the Sarnia Sting.
In 179 career regular season games in the OHL he compiled 173 points (63g, 110a) and 87 PIM from 2005-08. In his rookie OHL campaign in 2005-06, Nikiforov helped lead the Colts to the OHL Conference Finals by notching 17 points in 14 playoff games. Overall in his three-year junior career he tallied 26 points in 31 OHL playoff games with Barrie and Sarnia.
ECHL Stories from August 25, 2010
- Slappy, Bootland And Jurynec Head To Putters - Kalamazoo Wings
- Condors Land NHL Affiliation with Minnesota Wild in 2010-11 - Bakersfield Condors
- Marty the Marmot to Participate in the Easter - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Moose Name Grehan Equipment Manager - Victoria Salmon Kings
- The Hunt is on - Garet, Trevor Re-Sign for 2010-11 - Stockton Thunder
- Royals Ready to Go Yard with Lancaster Barnstormers - Reading Royals
- Road Warriors Announce Signing of Two Forwards - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Gordon Kaye Selected as Executive Director and GM of "Rave" - Reading Royals
- Blades Add Winger Nikiforov to Roster - Florida Everblades
- Welcome Back Athletic Trainer, Equipment Manager For 2010-2011 Season - Elmira Jackals
- Voice of the Aces Heads to NHL - Alaska Aces
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
