Blades sign ECHL All-Star Baker
July 15, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - Florida Everblades president & general manager Craig Brush, along with head coach Malcolm Cameron announced today that the team has signed forward Kevin Baker to a contract for the 2008-09 season.
Baker, who has played under Cameron for the past two seasons with the Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL, joins the Everblades after splitting last season between Schwenningen of the German Bundesliga 2 and Texas. The 29-year-old began the season in Germany where he posted 16 points (8g, 8a) in 23 games with the Wild Wings before returning to the ECHL with the Wildcatters. Baker completed the 2007-08 season by notching 56 points (29g, 27a) in 44 regular season games and added seven points (5g, 2a) in nine Kelly Cup Playoff games.
"To be a part of a class-A organization that wants to develop their players to get them to the next level and to develop championship teams is something I'm really excited about." Baker said. "I've always loved playing in Germain Arena as a visiting player and now being on the other side, it's going to be fun. Plus playing for Malcolm again, I have great respect for him. He treats his players great and really gets the guys to buy into his system and his system works."
The Kingston, Ontario native is entering his fifth professional season which also includes games in the American Hockey League. In 2006-07 Baker earned a starting spot on the 2007 American Conference All-Star squad during a career-year with Texas in which he registered 36 goals and 45 assists for 81 points, all career-high's in 62 regular season games.
In addition to his time with the Wildcatters in '06-'07, the former 7th round draft pick by the Los Angeles Kings in 1999 saw action in the AHL with Milwaukee and Toronto, totaling three assists in seven games. Baker finished off the '06-'07 season by scoring 10 points (6g, 4a) in 10 Kelly Cup Playoff games with Texas.
"Obviously we're extremely excited to be bringing a player of Kevin's caliber to the Everblades." Cameron added. "I've had a chance to see first hand his ability and his scoring prowess. He's a clutch player that really brings a lot of passion for the game to the ice, and that passion also shows in the locker room with his leadership qualities."
Prior to the 2006-07 season Baker spent three seasons at the Canadian collegiate level with Acadia University where he tallied 103 points in 77 games. The winger first broke through to the professional ranks in 2000-01 when he skated in 26 games with Lowell of the AHL. The following season Baker split time between the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL and the Saint John Flames of the AHL. In 18 games with the Chiefs he tallied 16 points and in 46 games with the Flames he registered 13 goals and seven assists.
Prior to turning pro Baker skated three seasons from 1997-2000 at the junior level with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League where he excelled, scoring 182 points in 191 games for an average of 60 points per season. In 1998-99 Baker helped lead the Bulls
ECHL Stories from July 15, 2008
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- Blades sign ECHL All-Star Baker - Florida Everblades
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