Florida Panthers New ECHL Affiliate

     The Florida Panthers have named the Florida Everblades as their new ECHL affiliate. That team is based in Estero in Southwest Florida. One big advantage is the close proximity to the team's hockey operations department in Sunrise. 

     The Cats had previously used the Florida Everblades as their ECHL affiliate in 2001-02, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2008-09 and 2009-10. The Florida Panthers did use the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in South Carolina as their ECHL affiliate last season. 

     The Florida Everblades won the Kelly Cup in the ECHL last season. It was their second league championship in franchise history. The Everblades were the Nashville Predators ECHL affiliate in recent years.