ECHL Florida Everblades

On ECHL Trade Deadline Day, Blades Swing Deals

March 11, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release


ESTERO, FL - Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Greg Poss announced today that the team has traded goaltender Jase Weslosky to the Ontario Reign for forward Dusty Collins and that the rights to forward Francis Lemieux have been traded to the Bakersfield Condors for the rights to forward Brad Snetsinger.

The trade with the Reign sees Weslosky heading back out west after being acquired by the Everblades in a trade with the Idaho Steelheads last week. The 22-year-old did not appear in a game with the Everblades and brings a 7-6-3 record with a 2.94 goals against average to Ontario.

In exchange the Everblades receive centerman Collins. The 26-year-old brings with him extensive American Hockey League experience, including 10 games in the AHL this season with the San Antonio Rampage (7 GP) and Manitoba Moose (3 GP). With Ontario this season the Gilbert, Arizona native has collected 26 points (9g, 17a) and 70 penalty minutes in 49 games.

"Dusty brings a lot of AHL experience to our team," said Poss. "He's a solid defensive minded center who also brings size to our lineup. He's the kind of player that has a lot of experience on playing on the penalty kill and can also jump in on the power play as well."

Collins spent all of the 2009-10 season in the AHL with Manitoba where he registered four points (2g, 2a) and 93 PIM in 70 games. Prior to last season, the former 5th round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, spent the majority of the 2008-09 campaign in the AHL as well, splitting 50 games between Manchester and Manitoba, notching 14 points.

Overall Collins has compiled 86 points and 394 PIM in 279 games since joining the professional ranks in 2007. Prior to turning pro he completed a four-year collegiate career at Northern Michigan University from 2003-07. In 137 career games with the Wildcats he notched 25 points and 135 PIM.

In the other deal, Lemieux, who signed a contract with the Connecticut Whale of the AHL last week, had his rights sent to Bakersfield. Lemieux posted 73 points in 56 games this season.

In return the Everblades get the rights to Snetsinger, who is currently playing in the AHL with the Binghamton Senators. The 23-year-old has played in the Senators' last ten games recording one goal. In the ECHL this season Snetsinger has combined to record 44 points (16g, 28a) and 50 PIM in 52 games with Utah and Bakersfield.

The Ajax, Ontario native, who's brother Ed also skated for the Everblades this season, began the 2010-11 campaign in Utah where he tallied 23 points (10g, 13a) in 26 games with the Grizzlies. After he was acquired by Bakersfield he saw action in 26 games with the Condors registering 21 points (6g, 15a).

Like Collins, Snetsinger also spent the entire 2009-10 season in the AHL skating in 57 games wit the Lowell Devils, picking up 18 points. Overall in his pro career the 6-foot-2, 190 pound winger has posted 113 points in 173 games with Lowell and Binghamton in the AHL and Trenton, Utah and Bakersfield in the ECHL. Prior to turning pro Snetsinger had a five-year major junior career from 2003-08 with Mississauga and Windsor totaling 211 points in 253 games.

JANUS REASSIGNED FROM NORFOLK

Janus (pronounced: YAHN-is) returns to the Everblades after making one start during his most recent call-up to the Admirals. The 21-year-old took the loss in Norfolk's 4-1 loss at Binghamton on March 6. Overall now in four call-ups to the Admirals this season Janus 0-2-0 with a 5.75 goals against average and an .831 save percentage.

With the Everblades this season Janus has seen action in 25 games, posting an 11-12-0 record with a 3.03 goals against average and a .912 save percentage.

The Everblades return to action on Saturday, March 12 when they host the Greenville Road Warriors at 7:00 p.m. from Germain Arena. Visit www.floridaeverblades.com and www.germainarena.com for more information on ticket packages, pricing and upcoming Germain Arena events.

Individual tickets to all 2010-11 Florida Everblades home games are on sale now! Tickets are available at the TIB Bank Box Office Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fans can also purchase tickets through TicketMaster by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com or calling 800-745-3000.

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