ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades see changes to roster; captains selected

Published on October 18, 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 changes in the roster for the 2007-08 opening weekend.

The Everblades saw a slight change in player personnel as officially added to the roster today were defensemen David Cornacchia and J.D. Forrest from the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League. Other moves saw the Florida Panthers recall goaltender Tyler Plante and defenseman Bret Nasby. Additionally, the Everblades released forward Grant Goeckner-Zoeller.

Cornacchia (pronounced: cor-NAAH-chee-ah) joins the Everblades after playing last season overseas in Austria and Germany. The 27-year-old split the 2006-07 season between Innsbruck of the Austrian League and Ingolstadt of the German DEL. Cornacchia tallied 21 points (6g, 15a) and 149 penalty minutes in 35 games with Innsbruck, then notched two assists and six PIM in 10 games with Ingolstadt.

Prior to last season, the 5-foot-11, 200 pound blue liner spent all of the 2005-06 campaign with the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL. In 80 games with the Rampage Cornacchia notched 25 points (4g, 21a) and 151 PIM. The Toronto, Ontario native's professional career, which began in 2001-02, has featured games in the ECHL with the Mississippi Sea Wolves (2001-03) and Idaho Steelheads (2003-05). During his first year in Idaho Cornacchia helped lead the team to a Kelly Cup Championship with 43 points in 60 regular season games, as the Steelheads knocked off the Everblades 4-games-to-1 in the championship series.

Overall in his professional career, Cornacchia has skated in 305 career games, scoring 124 points (28g, 96a) and 456 PIM. Prior to turning pro he spent four years at the junior level in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sudbury Wolves, Sarnia Sting and Belleville Bulls. In 253 career OHL games Cornacchia notched 135 points and 392 PIM.

Forrest comes to the Everblades after missing the entire 2006-07 season because of injury. Prior to last season the 26-year-old spent two seasons overseas in Finland. In 2005-06 Forrest registered 11 points (6g, 5a) and 44 PIM in 43 games with Assat Pori. His first professional season in 2004-05 saw him play 53 games with SaiPa Lappeenranta where he collected 19 points (7g, 12a) and 44 PIM. Prior to turning pro the Auburn, NY native played four seasons at the collegiate level with Boston College where he tallied 98 points in 144 career games.

Captains Chosen:

The Everblades also announced today that the team voted and selected their captains for the 2007-08 season. Veteran Ernie Hartlieb, who is entering his fourth season with the Everblades, was voted as the team's captain, while Brett Peterson, Steve Czech and J.B. Bittner were chosen as the alternate captains. Peterson will wear an "A" during the entire season, while Czech and Bitter will share the duties, with one wearing an "A" at home and the other wearing an "A" on the road.

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! Pre-game festivities start at 7:15 p.m. SHARP 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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