USA Hockey Magazine

Florida Everblades Making A Lasting Impact In The Sunshine State With Youth Programming and Back-To-Back ECHL Championships. FLORIDA EVER-GROWING By Brian Lester many others who have gone on to play at a very high level of DI and USHL (hockey). "We now have many other former Everblade players following this trend with their children and giving back to the program." The Junior Everblades program has been in place for more than 20 years, beginning in 1998 and it contin- ues to trend upward today. It features age groups that range from 6U on up through high school. "The past five years have provided our program the largest growth since I began to build the program back in 1998," Masnjak said. "Our grassroots programs bolster fantastic numbers. Our learn to skate classes average 400 members every eight weeks." The rising popularity of hockey in Florida has helped as well. The Tampa Bay Lightning have won three Stanley Cups, including back-to-back titles in 2020-21. Most recently, the Florida Panthers played for the Stanley Cup in June for the second time in franchise history. JULY 2023 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 27 V I D E O The Florida Everblades celebrate their second consecutive ECHL championship. G AVIN BRINDLEY never imagined this moment. More than 19,000 people were inside Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., for the Frozen Four in early April. It was surreal for Brindley to be back in his home state playing on college hockey's biggest stage just two hours from where he grew up in Estero. Brindley developed his skills with a thriving Florida Jr. Everblades pro- gram, and now, all these years later, he was in Tampa representing the University of Michigan in one of the biggest moments of his hockey life. "It's crazy," Brindley recalled. "Playing in your home state for (an NCAA championship) is incredi- ble. I can't tell you how many people were there watch- ing me and supporting me back home. I got a lot of calls and texts before and after. It was pretty cool." Hockey has always been a part of Brindley's life. He was coached by his dad, Ryan, when he was younger, and before that, Ryan played hockey for the Everblades, who won their second consecutive ECHL championship earlier this year. It's that tidbit of information right there about his dad being a former player turned coach for the youth program that has helped bolster the growth of the Jr. Everblades. Many former ECHL, and even NHL players, have made Florida their home. "They even have children participating in our pro- gram," said Karl Masnjak, the vice president of recre- ation facilities and programs at Hertz Arena. "(Ernie) Hartlieb has two children in our program and helps out with our programs weekly all year round," Masnjak said. "Ryan Brindley has been coaching kids in our Jr. Everblades, Florida Alliance Tier 1, Hertz-Arena in-house rec hockey and SE Elite for 19 years. He has coached his son, Gavin, Seamus Casey, Jacob Fowler and 6,286 1998 19,550 2022 Florida Player Numbers On The Rise Flo- Riser

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