Hartlieb re-signs with Blades
August 24, 2007 - 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 forward Ernie Hartlieb has signed a contract for the 2007-08 season, becoming the ninth player signed by the Everblades for the upcoming season.
Hartlieb re-signs with the Everblades after completing his seventh professional season in 2006-07. The 28-year-old scored 33 points (8g, 25a) and notched 56 penalty minutes in 62 regular season games with the Everblades last year. During the Kelly Cup Playoffs, Hartlieb chipped in five points (1g, 4a) in 16 games. The Warren, Michigan native not only saw time at the forward position last year, but showed his versatility by seeing considerable playing time on defense.
"Ernie is a huge asset to this organization." Fleming said. "He's proven over the past three years that he is a leader both in the locker room and on the ice. His flexibility to play strongly both up front and on the blue line in the same year has been nothing short of amazing, and shows the true talent he brings to the table. We're very happy to have Ernie back with us and think he'll be a very big part of helping this team try to accomplish our ultimate goal."
In 2005-06 Hartlieb earned ECHL All-Star honors while putting together the second highest point total in his career by nothing 54 points (18g, 36a) in 55 games with the Everblades. During the '05-'06 campaign, Hartlieb also reached a career milestone by registering his 200th career point.
"I'm very happy to be returning to the Everblades for another season." Hartlieb added. "This organization and the community has been like a family to me the past three years, which made my decision to return that much easier. I'm very excited to start training camp and get the season underway. My goal every year is to help bring a Kelly Cup Championship to Southwest Florida and I hope we can accomplish that this year."
Hartlieb spent the 2004-05 season with three teams in two leagues. After beginning the season with the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League where he skated in two games, Hartlieb joined the Everblades for 15 games, scoring 12 points (3g, 12a). He then earned a call-up to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL where he spent the remainder of the regular season, notching nine points (3g, 6a) in 44 games. Following the regular season he re-joined the Everblades for the playoffs, during which he scored six goals and added two assists in 14 Kelly Cup Playoff games.
In 2003-04 Hartlieb spent the entire season in the AHL with the Worcester Ice Cats, scoring 35 points (14g, 21a) in 63 games. Prior to that, the former Miami (Ohio) University product split the 2002-03 campaign between the Arkansas Riverblades of the ECHL and Worcester. Hartlieb tallied 21 goals and 34 assists in 47 games with Arkansas, then chalked up 15 points (7g, 8a) in 24 games with the IceCats.
His first full professional season in 2001-02 was spent with Arkansas scoring 7 goals and adding 27 assists in 71 games. Hartlieb entered the pro ranks with the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL in 2000-01 skating in five games, picking up two assists.
Prior to turning pro, Hartlieb spent four seasons with Miami (Ohio) University, where he scored 55 points (20g, 35a) in 116 career games.
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! Deposits are being taken now for 2007-08 Florida Everblades season tickets! For just $50 per/seat you can reserve your piece of the action for next season! Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.
ECHL Stories from August 24, 2007
- Ice Pilots Seek Anthem Singers And Volunteer Game Day Workers - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Condors Newsletter - Bakersfield Condors
- Stingrays Add Three to Front Office - South Carolina Stingrays
- Hartlieb re-signs with Blades - Florida Everblades
- Nailers will have Pittsburgh Presence - Wheeling Nailers
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