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Blades release 08-09 Protected List

June 3, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL) - Florida Everblades News Release

ESTERO, FL - Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush announced today the team's 2008-09 protected list.

As defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players' Association, teams shall retain the rights to each player that signed a Standard Players Contract in 2007-08, and has not been traded or released, or signed Standard Players Contract in 2007-08, and was recalled to the National Hockey League, the American Hockey League or an International Ice Hockey Federation team.

In addition, players that signed Standard Players Contract on or after the first day of the 2007-08 regular season, then subsequently signed an NHL/AHL contract, and has not been traded or released can be included on the list.

The Everblades protected list includes forwards J.B. Bittner, Ernie Hartlieb, Preston Callander, Brad Zancanaro, Brad Herauf, Derek Damon, Mike McLean, Jarret Lukin and Dan Baum. Defensively Steve Czech, Ryan Van Buskirk, Brett Peterson and Brad Brown were included.

Began in 1988-89 with five teams playing in four states, the Premier 'AA' Hockey League has grown into a coast-to-coast league that will have 24 teams in 16 states and British Columbia playing 864 games from Oct. 17, 2008 to Apr. 4, 2009. Nineteen of the 24 teams have played at least five years in their current city.

The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL averaged 4,174 per game last season, marking the fourth year in row and the 16th time in the last 18 years that the league has averaged over 4,000 fans. The league has drawn over four million fans each of the last five years and 11 times in the past 12 seasons.

BEWARE OF THE BITE! Action You Can Sink You're Teeth Into! Deposits are being accepted now for 2008-09 Florida Everblades season tickets. For just $50 per/seat you can reserve your piece of the action for next season! The Everblades open the 2008-09 season on Friday, October 17 when they host the Charlotte Checkers from Germain Arena at 7:30 p.m.! Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com or call 239-948-PUCK for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

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