ESTERO (Florida Sports Wire) – The Florida Everblades captured the 2023 Kelly Cup championship on Friday with a 4-3 win over the Idaho Steelheads in Game 4 of the 2023 Kelly Cup Finals in front of a standing-room only crowd of 7,855 fans at Hertz Arena.
Florida, which was appearing in the Kelly Cup Finals for the sixth time (tied for most in ECHL history), won the Kelly Cup title for the second consecutive season and the third time overall.The Everblades become the fifth team in ECHL history to claim back-to-back titles, joining Hampton Roads (1991 and 1992), Toledo (1993 and 1994), Allen (2015 and 2016) and Colorado (2017 and 2018) while their third championship ties Hampton Roads, South Carolina and Alaska for the most in League history.June M. Kelly Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award as the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Everblades’ goaltender Cam Johnson earned theJohnson becomes the first player in ECHL history to win the postseason MVP award in consecutive seasons and he joins Nick Vitucci and Dave Gagnon as the only players to win the award twice over their career.FLORIDA 3 at Idaho 2 (OT) Game 2 – FLORIDA 5 at Idaho 3 Game 3 – Idaho 0 at FLORIDA 1 Game 4 – Idaho 3 at FLORIDA 4 Kelly Cup Champions 2023 – Florida defeated Idaho, 4 games to 0 2022 – Florida defeated Toledo, 4 games to 1 2021 – Fort Wayne defeated South Carolina, 3 games to 1 2020 – Playoffs were canceled due to COVID-19 2019 – Newfoundland defeated Toledo, 4 games to 2 2018 – Colorado defeated Florida, 4 games to 3 2017 – Colorado defeated South Carolina, 4 games to 0 2016 – Allen defeated Wheeling, 4 games to 2 2015 – Allen defeated South Carolina, 4 games to 3 2014 – Alaska defeated Cincinnati, 4 games to 2 2013 – Reading defeated Stockton, 4 games to 1 2012 – Florida defeated Las Vegas, 4 games to 1 2011 – Alaska defeated Kalamazoo, 4 games to 1 2010 – Cincinnati defeated Idaho, 4 games to 1 2009 – South Carolina defeated Alaska, 4 games to 3 2008 – Cincinnati defeated Las Vegas, 4 games to 2 2007 – Idaho defeated Dayton, 4 games to 1 2006 – Alaska defeated Gwinnett, 4 games to 1 2005 – Trenton defeated Florida, 4 games to 2 2004 – Idaho defeated Florida, 4 games to 1 2003 – Atlantic City defeated Columbia, 4 games to 1 2002 – Greenville defeated Dayton, 4 games to 0 2001 – South Carolina defeated Trenton, 4 games to 1 2000 – Peoria defeated Louisiana, 4 games to 2 1999 – Mississippi defeated Richmond, 4 games to 3 1998 – Hampton Roads defeated Pensacola, 4 games to 2 1997 – South Carolina defeated Louisiana, 4 games to 1 Riley Cup Champions 1996 – Charlotte defeated Jacksonville, 4 games to 0 1995 – Richmond defeated Greensboro, 4 games to 1 1994 – Toledo defeated Raleigh, 4 games to 1 1993 – Toledo defeated Wheeling, 4 games to 2 1992 – Hampton Roads defeated Louisville, 4 games to 0 1991 – Hampton Roads defeated Greensboro, 4 games to 1 1990 – Greensboro defeated Winston-Salem, 4 games to 1 1989 – Carolina defeated Johnstown, 4 games to 3
2023 Kelly Cup Finals Game 1 –(Photo: Idaho Steelheads goalie Adam Scheel gets in position for a save during Game 1 against the Florida Everblades in the Kelly Cup Finals. Florida swept the series 4-0. SARAH A. MILLER Sarah A. Miller)
ECHL mourns loss of Utah owner David Elmore
The ECHL and its member teams mourn the loss and express their condolences to the family and friends of Utah Grizzlies’ Governor David Elmore, who passed away at the age of 88.
Elmore was owner and founder of Elmore Sports Group, a Sports and Entertainment Company started in 1969 comprised of Minor League Baseball and Hockey teams, Facility Management Companies, Special Events and Concession Companies.
David’s entrepreneur spirit expanded to many companies beyond sports. He began investing in real estate in Vail, Colorado in the 1970’s and expanded into travel, life insurance, hotels and manufacturing.
ECHL announces Protected Lists
The ECHL on Friday announced the Protected Lists as submitted by each of its Member teams. Teams are allowed to protect as many players as they wish provided the players protected meet the guidelines as defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association which state that teams shall retain the rights to each player. Season-ending rosters may include up to 20 players and cannot include any players who did not sign an ECHL contract in 2022-23.
Adirondack Thunder – Mike Robinson, Jake Theut, Vinnie Purpura, Ivan Chukarov, Matt Slick, Dajon Mingo, Ryan Orgel, Wayne Letourneau, Matt Stief, Kyle Hallbauer, Jeff Taylor, Bryce Martin, Jake Ryczek, Blake Thompson, Erik Middendorf, Travis Broughman, Ryan Smith, Grant Jozefek, Patrick Grasso, Shawn Weller, Matt Jennings, Colin Long, Brady Fleurent, Shane Harper, Yannick Turcotte, Brandon Schultz Allen Americans – Chase Perry, Luke Peressini, Dalton Skelly, Kris Myllari, Eric Williams, Ryan Gagnon, Ty Farmer, Colton Saucerman, Nick Albano, Jared Bethune, Ben Carroll, Jake Kearley, Aidan Brown, Chad Butcher, Jakov Novak, Colby McAuley, Justin Young, Hank Crone, Colton Hargrove, Grant Hebert, Liam Finlay, Stefan Fournier, Jack Combs, Mikael Robidoux, Stephen Baylis, Spencer Asuchak, J.D. Dudek Atlanta Gladiators – Tyler Harmon, Joe Murdaca, Alex Sakellaropoulos, Tyler Parks, Zach Yoder, Derek Topatigh, Malcolm Hayes, Bray Crowder, Dylan Carabia, Tim Davison, Josh Thrower, Dalton Thrower, Cody Sylvester, Todd Goehring, Sanghoon Shin, Ian Mackey, Michal Mrazik, Mike Pelech, Gabe Guertler, Eric Neiley, Carlos Fornaris, Michael Turner, Mitch Walinski Cincinnati Cyclones – Mark Sinclair, Sean Bonar, Jake Murray, Sean Allen, Jalen Smereck, Steven MacLean, Josh Burnside, Andrew Nielsen, Matt Cairns, Arvin Atwal, Zac Herrmann, Adam Berg, James Hardie, Matt Berry, Zack Andrusiak, Lee Lapid, Justin Vaive, Luka Burzan, Cody Caron, Patrick Polino, Brandon Yeamans, Louie Caporusso, Lincoln Griffin, Matt McLeod, Philip Lagunov Florida Everblades – Stefan LeBlanc, Cole Moberg, Nolan Kneen, Brandon Hickey, Ben Masella, Joe Pendenza, Cam Darcy, Sean Josling, John McCarron, Andrew Fyten, Logan Lambdin, Ashton Calder, Kyle Neuber, Kody McDonald, Blake Winiecki, Levko Koper, Will Calverley, Robert Carpenter, Michael Neville, Oliver Chau, Ted Nichol, Dylan Vander Esch, Chayse Primeau Fort Wayne Komets – Rylan Parenteau, Samuel Harvey, Noah Ganske, Blake Siebenaler, Jake Johnson, Daniel Maggio, Scott Allan, Jacob Graves, Marcus McIvor, Oliver Cooper, Shawn Boudrias, Anthony Petruzzelli, William Provost, Stefano Giliati, Matt Alvaro, Tristan Pelletier, Tye Felhaber, Josh Winquist Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Luke Richardson, Michael McNiven, Ryan Bednard, Max Martin, Ethan Cap, Joseph Leahy, Miles Gendron, Bobby Russell, Lordanthony Grissom, Evan Wardley, Frank Hora, Bryce Reddick, Justin Hamonic, Johnny Coughlin, Colton Young, Ben Freeman, Josh McKechney, Tanner Eberle, Brannon McManus, Anthony Beauchamp, Ethan Somoza, Dallas Gerads, Carter Souch, Miroslav Mucha, Jake Elmer, Liam Pecararo, Max Zimmer, Anthony Rinaldi, Matt Tugnutt Idaho Steelheads – Josh Boyko, Jake Kupsky, Matt Jurusik, Patrick Kudla, Matt Register, Casey Johnson, Cody Haiskanen, Nicholas Canade, Darren Brady, Michael Prapavessis, Demetrios Koumontzis, Ty Pelton-Byce, Jade Miller, A.J. White, William Knierim, Justin Misiak, Colton Kehler, Wade Murphy, Zach Walker, Jack Becker, Zane Franklin, Janis Svanenbergs, Shawn McBride, Mason Mitchell Indy Fuel – Zach Driscoll, Cam Gray, Mitch Gillam, Zach Vinnell, Cam Bakker, Chris Cameron, Kirill Chaika, Keoni Texeira, Ross MacDougall, Matt Watson, Trevor Zins, Jordan Schneider, Chase Lang, Andrew Bellant, Chad Yetman, Luc Brown, Bryan Lemos, Darby Llewellyn, Alex Wideman, Spencer Watson, Nate Pionk, Jan Mandat, Jared Thomas, Darien Craighead Iowa Heartlanders – Mitch Benson, Sean Kuhn, Jared Kucharek, Chris Lipe, Justin Wells, Nolan Orzeck, Clayton Phillips, Kevin McKernan, Dylan Robinson, Tommy Parran, Brendan Less, Bo Hanson, Riese Zmolek, Jake Linhart, Nick Nardella, Jesse Jacques, Brendan Robbins, Yuki Miura, Jake Durflinger, Carson Denomie, Austin Eastman, Zach White, Tommy Parrottino, Steven Leonard, Justin Michaelian, Tyler Busch, Nick Campoli, Tanner MacMaster, Michael Pastujov, Alec Broetzman, James Sanchez, Matthew Boucher, Guus van Nes, Mason McCarty Jacksonville Icemen – Charles Williams, Jacob Friend, Tim Theocharidis, Jacob Panetta, Brandon Fortunato, Mackenzie Dwyer, Julian Kislin, Garret Cockerill, Victor Hadfield, Connor Russell, Sean Giles, Chris Grando, Matt Iacopelli, Christopher Brown, Ara Nazarian, Luke Lynch, Derek Lodermeier, Craig Martin, Ben Hawerchuk, Nick Isaacson, Brendan Harris, Neil Robinson, Travis Howe, Paul McAvoy, Matt Salhany, Abbott Girduckis Kalamazoo Wings – Drew DeRidder, Hunter Vorva, Collin Saccoman, Justin Murray, Kurt Gosselin, Kyle Rhodes, Connor Fedorek, Brendan Bushy, Anthony Florentino, Tyler Rockwell, Aidan Spellacy, James McEwan, Coale Norris, Anthony Collins, Raymond Brice, Brad Morrison, Justin Taylor, Luke Morgan, Ayden MacDonald, David Keefer, Kobe Roth, Drake Pilon, Brandon Saigeon, Daniel D’Amico, Nick Lappin Kansas City Mavericks – Shane Starrett, Dillon Kelley, Elias Rosen, Nate Knoepke, Tommy Muck, Jordan Sambrook, Theo Calvas, Josh Elmes, Mike Lee, Marcus Crawford, Cole Coskey, Keeghan Howdeshell, Cade Borchardt, Loren Ulett, Jake Jaremko, Ryan Harrison, A.J. Vanderbeck, Josh Lammon, Luke Santerno, Casey Carreau, Zach Pochiro, John Schiavo, Anthony DeLuca, Ben Johnson Maine Mariners – Andrew Peski, Cameron Morton, Marc-Olivier Duquette, Connor Doherty, Gabriel Chicoine, Alden Weller, Owen Norton, Nate Kallen, Tyler Hinam, Reid Stefanson, Austin Albrecht, Mitch Fossier, Nick Master, Tim Doherty, Carter Johnson, Cameron Askew, Conner Bleackley, Chase Zieky, Patrick Shea, Mathew Santos, Nick Jermain, Sean Gulka Newfoundland Growlers – Adam Holwell, James Melindy, Evan Neugold, Derian Plouffe, Todd Skirving, Jordan Escott, Barret Kirwin Norfolk Admirals – D.J. King, Darick Louis-Jean, Ian White, Alex Pommerville, Josh McDougall, Justin Allen, Carson Musser, Callum Fryer, Christian Hausinger, Regen Cavanagh, Gueorgui Feduolov, Mathieu Roy, Griffin Lunn, Darren McCormick, Ryan Foss, Stepan Timofeyev, Denis Smirnov, Danny Katic, Brian Bowen, Nicholas Blachman, Tanner Schachle, Alex Tonge, Marly Quince, Chase Harwell, Colton Heffley Orlando Solar Bears – Drennen Atherton, Jimmy Poreda, Garret Sparks, Jay Powell, Kenny Johnson, Chris Harpur, Jimmy Mazza, Max Balinson, Michael Renwick, Michael Brodzinski, Pavel Vorobei, Luke McInnis, Andrew McLean, Jack Dougherty, Shawn Szydlowski, Tyler Bird, Ross Olsson, Eric Esposito, Luke Boka, Alex Frye, Tristin Langan, Matthew Barnaby, Joe Carroll, Branden Makara, Nathan Burke, Hunter Fejes, Aaron Luchuk Rapid City Rush – Adam Carlson, Colton Leiter, Jason Horvath, Carter Robertson, Quinn Wichers, Tyson Helgesen, Charles Martin, Kenton Helgesen, Garrett Klotz, Zach Court, Blake Bennett, Brett Gravelle, Alex Aleardi, Keegan Iverson, Logan Nelson, Keanu Yamamoto, Weiland Parrish, Max Coatta, Jimmy Soper, Avery Peterson, Gabe Chabot Reading Royals – Matt Vernon, Kaden Fulcher, Hayden Hawkey, Ryan Cook, T.J. Fergus, Tyler Heidt, Mike Chen, Clark Hiebert, Dominic Cormier, Solag Bakich, Shane Sellar, Devon Paliani, Alec Butcher, Yvan Mongo, Brendan Hoffman, Max Newton, Tyler Kobryn, Kamerin Nault, Tyler Kirkup, Patrick Bajkov, Jackson Cressey Savannah Ghost Pirates – Michael Bullion, Matt Brassard, Tristan Thompson, Nolan Valleau, Carter Long, Nick Tuzzolino, Elijah Vilio, Will Riedell, Noah Carroll, Colin Doyle, Max Kaufman, Troy Lajeunesse, Brent Pedersen, Cole Stallard, Vincent Marleau, Jett Jones, Ross Armour, Spencer Naas, Logan Drevitch, Spencer Dorowicz, Marshall Moise, Tyler Adams, Dylan Sadowy South Carolina Stingrays – Tyler Wall, Matt Anderson, Connor Moore, Chaz Reddekopp, Chase Stewart, Connor Hall, Aidan Sutter, Robbie Stucker, Justin Florek, Jarid Lukosevicius, Ty Thorpe, Kevin O’Neil, Jackson Leppard, Austin Magera, Lawton Courtnall, Baker Shore, Max Humitz, Jonny Evans, Josh Wilkins, Andrew Cherniwchan, Anthony Del Gaizo, Carter Turnbull, Tarek Baker, Grant Cooper Toledo Walleye – Gordi Myer, Charlie Curti, Riley McCourt, Derek Daschke, Adrien Beraldo, Simon Denis, Ryan Lowney, Brenden Miller, Cole Fraser, John Albert, T.J. Hensick, Andrew Sturtz, Gordie Green, Brandon Hawkins, Brett McKenzie, Thomas Ebbing, Sam Craggs, Ryan Cox, Conlan Keenan, Kameron Kielly, Lukas Craggs, Marcus Vela, Josh Dickinson Trois-Rivières Lions – Etienne Montpetit, Louis-Philip Guindon, Bradley Johnson, Ryan Zuhlsdorf, Sam Dunn, Connor Welsh, Shane Kuzmeski, Markuss Komuls, Brett Beauvais, Francis Thibeault, Philippe Bureau-Blais, Alex Breton, Mathieu Brodeur, Luke Orysiuk, Jesse Lees, Matthew Barron, Zach Kaiser, James Phelan, Cedric Montminy, Nicolas Guay, Nicolas Lariviere, William Lemay, Conner Chaulk, William Leblanc, Brendan Soucie, Cole Gallant, Chrystopher Collin, Jonathan Joannette, Chad Pietroniro, Alexis D’Aoust, Julien Nantel, Tim Vanstone, Anthony Nellis Tulsa Oilers – Riley Morris, Andrew Jarvis, Karl Boudrias, Kylor Wall, Chris Perna, Cameron Supryka, Justin Bean, Mike McKee, Conor MacEachern, Jarod Hilderman, Benjamin Gagne, John Furgele, Alex Gilmour, Tristan Crozier, Alex Kromm, Tag Bertuzzi, Dante Zapata, Eddie Matsushima, Jackson Leef, Kalvyn Watson, Ethan Stewart, Dante Sheriff, Michael Farren, Brennan Blaszczak, Tyler Poulsen, Jack Doremus, J.C Campagna, Cody Milan, Ryley Lindgren, Jake Smith Utah Grizzlies – Garrett Metcalf, Aaron Thow, Kyle Pouncy, James Shearer, Jacob Semik, Connor McDonald, Cory Thomas, Brycen Martin, Kyle Mayhew, Kyle Betts, Jordan Martel, Nolan Ritchie, Tyler Penner, Dylan Fitze, Mick Messner, Dakota Raabe, Keaton Jameson, Brandon Cutler, Cam Strong, Johnny Walker, Christian Simeone, Mason Mannek Wheeling Nailers – Brad Barone, Jordan Wishman, David Drake, Davis Bunz, Sebastian Dirven, Brandon Fehd, Jack Van Boekel, Louie Roehl, Adam Smith, Luke Bafia, Ross Krieger, Keltie Jeri-Leon, Matt Koopman, Tanner Laderoute, Jarrett Lee, Cedric Desruisseaux, Bobby Hampton, Gianluca Esteves, Samuel Tremblay, Tyler Drevitch, Peter Laviolette, David Jankowski, Wyllum Deveaux, Matt Quercia, Felix Pare, Justin Addamo, Cam Hausinger, Cedric Pare, Shaw Boomhower, Patrick Watling, Trevor Gooch Wichita Thunder – Trevor Gorsuch, Roman Basran, Evan Buitenhuis, Cole Larkin, Cole MacDonald, Xavier Pouliot, Chris McKay, Dominic Dockery, Connor Walters, Zack Hoffman, Jordan Muzzillo, Austin Crossley, Jake Wahlin, Ben Allison, Gavin Gould, Jason Pineo, Michal Stinil, Quinn Preston, Peter Bates, Brett Boeing, Kelly Bent, Jay Dickman, Brayden Watts, Dillon Boucher, Sam Sternschein, Logan Fredericks, Westin Michaud, Kenny Hausinger, Chris Van Os-Shaw, Carson Rose, Stephen Johnson, Billy Exell, Peter Crinella Worcester Railers – Noah Delmas, Ryan DaSilva, Jared Brandt, Myles McGurty, Artem Kulakov, Christian Evers, Philip Beaulieu, Charlie Spetz, Nick Fea, Liam Coughlin, Steven Jandric, Anthony Callin, Bobby Butler, Brent Beaudoin, Nolan Vesey, Jack Quinlivan, Quinn Ryan, Max Johnson, Adam Goodsir, Jordan Kaplan, Blake Christensen