ECHL Florida Everblades

Panthers assign Tuma and Nasby to Blades

Published on October 2, 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 defensemen Martin Tuma and Bret Nasby have been assigned to the club by the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League.

Tuma returns to the Everblades for his third season. The 22-year-old split last season between the Everblades and the Panthers' American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester. Tuma saw action in 32 games with the 'Blades and picked up nine assists and 77 penalty minutes. The native of the Czech Republic also played in 23 games with the Rochester Americans, registering 33 PIM. Tuma participated in post-season games with both the Everblades and Americans, skating in three Kelly Cup Playoff games and one Calder Cup Playoff game.

Tuma's first full professional season in 2005-06 also saw him split time between the 'Blades and Amerks. The former 5th round draft pick by the Panthers in 2003 skated in 48 games with the Everblades, notching six assists and totaling 75 penalty minutes, while also seeing action in 12 games with Rochester where he picked up two assists. In 2004-05 Tuma made his professional debut, playing in five games with the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL. Prior joining the pro ranks, he spent two seasons at the junior level in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sault-Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Tuma's best season with the Greyhounds came in '04-'05 when he tallied 23 points (10g, 13a) and 107 PIM in 61 games.

Nasby, a 5th round draft pick by the Panthers in 2004, made his professional debut with the Everblades last season, notching four points (1g, 3a) in 31 games. Prior to turning pro, the 21-year-old spent three seasons at the junior level with the Oshawa Generals and the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. In 2005-06 Nasby split the season between the Generals and Otters, beginning the year with 14 points (5g, 9a) in 20 games with Oshawa before completing the season with 17 points (4g, 13a) in 32 games with the Otters. The 6-foot-3, 190 pound native of Grimsby, Ont. totaled 55 points in 174 career OHL 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! 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 2, 2007


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