ECHL Florida Everblades

'Blades swing trade with Stockton

Published on October 5, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Gerry Fleming announced today that the team has acquired forward Mathieu Melanson from the Stockton Thunder in exchange for financial and future considerations.

Melanson will be entering his first full professional season in 2007-08 after making his professional debut with the Thunder last season. The 22-year-old impressed in his first pro action, notching 26 points (14g, 12a) in 17 games with Stockton. Melanson also chipped in three assists in six Kelly Cup Playoff games last season.

The 6-foot, 198 pound winger is the son of former National Hockey League goaltender Roland Melanson, and also spent time last season at the collegiate level with Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he posted 11 points (3g, 8a) in nine games.

"We are real pleased to be adding Mathieu to our roster." Fleming said. "He showed he's capable of putting up good numbers in this league after his time in Stockton last year. Mathieu is a strong two-way player who plays hard at both ends of the ice, and we expect he'll be a big part of our team."

Prior to the 2006-07 campaign, Melanson spent four seasons at the junior level with the Chicoutimi Saguenees and Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The former 8th round draft pick of the Minnesota Wild in 2003 had his best junior season in 2005-06 with Quebec when he scored 86 points (42g, 44a) in 59 regular season games and chipped in 40 points (25g, 15a) in 23 post-season games, helping the Remparts capture the Memorial Cup Championship.

Overall Melanson tallied 238 points (106g, 132a) in 259 career QMJHL games from 2002-06.

Opening Day for the ECHL's 20th Anniversary Season will be Oct. 18 when the Johnstown Chiefs host the Wheeling Nailers at Cambria County War Memorial in a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that will have 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals.

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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ECHL Stories from October 5, 2007


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