Jr. Everblades Provide Unique Experience for Players Alumni Starting to Move Up Hockey Ladder


By Matt Mackinder


Hockey Association is a big reason why. Located in Estero, the Jr. Everblades are starting their 14th season in 2011-2012 with teams from the Mite Developmental level all the way to Midget 18U AA, more than 140 players on nine travel teams. Club president Bob Radunz said the key to his


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organization’s success starts with the opportunities the players are presented from day one and those privileges increased this year with the addition of the Athletic Republic training facility, the Florida Alliance AAA program and the Florida Jr. Blades of the Empire Junior Hockey League. “Germain Arena now offers unparalleled competi-


tive hockey opportunities from amateur to the profes- sional level, complemented with industry-leading performance sports training and skill development programs,” noted Radunz. “A child may now progress from a house league player through his or her youth travel hockey career and then go on to juniors or collegiate hockey without having to relocate and play elsewhere. This unique environment provides the youth in our area wonderful exposure to the great game of hockey and an incredible opportunity to learn and develop under some of the country’s best coaches and professional players. “We are also very fortunate to have the support of the Florida Everblades (ECHL) and the outstanding facilities that Germain Arena offers in our own


outh hockey in Florida has been on the up swing for quite some time and the Florida Jr. Everblades


this past June when the organization’s first former player, Jacksonville native Brian Ferlin, was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the fourth round of the NHL draft. Ferlin played the last two seasons in the United States Hockey League with the Indiana Ice and will play Division I college hockey this season for Cornell University (ECAC). Additionally, former Everblades skater Bennett


Schneider, now playing Division III college hockey at Hamilton College in New England, received an invita- tion to the New York Islanders mini-camp this past summer.


The Florida Jr. Everblades 16U A team went 4-1-0 and defeated the Atlanta Knights to win the Labor Day Challenge tournament in Ellenton, Fla.. Photo/Beverly Fewster


backyard.” Since its inception, the Jr. Everblades have been


fortunate to have had leaders in the organization who have not only a wealth of hockey knowledge and vision, but also great passion for the life-long lessons the game teaches. “Respect, integrity, teamwork, sportsmanship and


a strong work ethic are among the many character- istics we trust our youth develop as Jr. Everblades,” Radunz said. “Long after the buzzer sounds for that last Jr. Everblades game played, it is our hope that our young men and women are equipped to begin their adult lives with confidence, a strong work ethic, and be of sound morale character.” A perfect example of the Jr. Everblades’ knowl- edge and vision of the passion for hockey happened


Panthers Getting Behind Local Hockey’s Growth Miami’s Rinks Align with the NHL Squad to Help Get More Kids on Skates


By Chris Errington M


ackie Feierstein knows just how vital it is for future hockey stars to get their start in the sport


early. That’s one of the biggest reasons the NHL’s Florida


Panthers have made such a concerted effort to invest early and often in the local community. “We know if kids don’t start playing by the ages of 4-6, they probably won’t play hockey,” said Fei- erstein, the Panthers’ director of group sales. “Over the last nine months, we’ve seen a revitalization with youth hockey in the area and with the Panthers. Even though we’re not in a traditional hockey hotbed, we have a chance to really develop it in the community.” The Panthers have become the unquestioned lead-


er in youth hockey development in South Florida and the “Rink Coalition” has been their catalyst. Unveiled in January, the coalition is a partnership between the Panthers and six local hockey rinks. According to the Panthers, the mission of the


coalition is to unite local hockey facilities and organi- zations that are willing and able to work collectively to support and grow the sport of hockey in the area. Specifically, it provides the kids, coaches and rinks as- sociated with the area’s youth hockey with opportuni- ties to increase involvement, lower costs and promote the sport while firmly establishing the Panthers’ influ- ence in the Miami community and surrounding areas. So far, it’s been a winning agreement for both


sides. “What we’ve been able to accomplish is about 10 8


on Nov. 5 and will play host to a USA Hockey Ameri- can Development Model (ADM) clinic, which provides age-appropriate guidelines and curriculum to hockey associations to help more kids play, love and excel in hockey. But that’s not all. The Panthers are helping youth teams defer the


ever-increasing costs of hockey equipment by allow- ing them to sell group game tickets and signed team memorabilia throughout the season. “The more tickets they sell, the more money they


Florida Panthers players Evgeny Dadonov (left) and Keaton Ellerby meet a young fan at an “I Love Hockey” month event last February. Photo/Florida Panthers


years worth of stuff,” Feierstein said. “But we haven’t even scratched the surface. We’re in a non-traditional hockey market, so it’s important for us to align our- selves with local rinks because they are the lifeline of our program.” To increase their visibility within the community,


Panthers director of fan development and grassroots marketing Lynsie Estes noted that the team held a practice open to the public last season and will hold two more this season. In February, the Panthers held their first “I Love


Hockey” month, which included rink tours and Q- and-A sessions with players and front office staff. The team is also establishing a “Try Hockey for Free Day”


make and the more they help cut costs,” Feierstein explained. “What we do with a lot of the different leagues and teams are helping to provide sponsorship for them and they’ve really taken to the opportunity. They need to fundraise to a specific amount and then we provide jerseys and other equipment.” Despite a playoff absence of 10 consecutive sea- sons, an influx of younger, homegrown stars to the Panthers’ lineup has made the youth team’s ability to sell game tickets easier and will hopefully drive fan interest in the team. Feierstein knows a consistent move up the NHL’s standings can only benefit area youth hockey. “The sport is only going to grow here,” Feierstein


said. “Back in the 90’s (1995-1996 season) when we went to the Stanley Cup Finals (the Panthers lost in a four-game sweep to the Colorado Avalanche), every rink was full. Now we go to the schools and youth hockey places to start at zero to get involved with the kids because everyone knows this is the best sport live.”


“I think we are beginning to see that players com- ing out of the Sunshine State can play at the highest level,” beamed Radunz. While Florida may still not be considered by some


a typical hockey hot spot, Radunz doesn’t see it quite like that. “We can all be proud of our roots,” said Radunz.


“Today, the Jr. Everblades youth hockey organization is regarded by many across the country as a model program. As we look toward the future, our travel hockey director and coaching staff remain commit- ted to growing our program and fielding the most competitive travel teams, while the board of direc- tors remains focused on keeping the game of hockey affordable for all Jr. Everblades families during these challenging economic times through fundraising, sponsorship and private donations. “The southwest Florida hockey community has truly come together to support their beloved Ever- blades, both young and old versions of the team.”


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