The Everblades Rumor Mill

Here’s the scoop on which Florida Everblades players made the cut and received qualifying offers from new head coach Greg Poss and President and General Manager Craig Brush

Winger Shea Guthrie – Guthrie was acquired in a trade with the Utah Grizzlies, and despite a hand injury mid-season, the rookie was a pretty fierce part of the offense (the 22-year-old was tied for 3rd on the team in most goals – 18). He also bears a striking resemblance to Edward Cullen of the “Twilight” series, and had a harem of teeny boppers swooning over him from day one (I asked him about it in a Q&A).

Goaltender Adrien Lemay – Lemay skated in three games for Florida (2 RS, 1 PO), his first three professional games, well, ever. The Quebec native was fresh out of the QJMHL’s Lewiston MAINEiacs and was a relief for goalie Chris Beckford-Tseu who played over 15 games straight (don’t quote me on that) when the ‘Blades’ goalie situation was a little tricky as they headed into the playoffs. Although personally, I’m not quite sure he will be back. I did some investigating and saw he is on the Dallas Stars’ development camp roster and it wouldn’t shock me to see the 20-year-old sign with the ECHL Texas Stars.

Defenseman Mitch McColm – The rookie 21-year-old, six-foot-four, 212 lb beast (who had a perpetually missing front tooth) is the long-lost twin of  defenseman Benn Olson. They skated around like a pair of raging beanstalks, and if you weren’t paying attention it was easy to confuse the two. McColm joined the ‘Blades at the tail end of regular season, appearing in 14 games (5 RS, 9 PO). He joined Florida from the Regina Pats (WHL). Here’s a fight from when he played for the Tri-City Americans (WHL). He’s #2.

Defenseman Phil Paquet – Yet another French-Canadian rookie, 23-year-old Paquet was signed from NCAA Clarkson in New York, and also happened to be roommates and teammates with Shea Guthrie all four years in college.

Forward Eric Lampe – Rookie #4 (surprise) didn’t spend much time with Florida (1 RS, 5 PO) but made a big impression. In the American Conference Quarterfinals, 24-year-old Lampe scored the only two goals for Florida in a 5-2 loss against the Elmira Jackals (‘Blades eventually won the series in a decisive game five but fell to the Reading Royals in round two of the Kelly Cup playoffs). If he can keep that up, I don’t think anyone would mind seeing the Quinnipiac University (NCAA) grad back in a Florida sweater.

Center Matt Caria – Yet another rookie, I remember briefly his time in Florida, although he only appeared in two games (1g, 6 PIM). He went on to play 12 games for the Utah Grizzlies, but last I heard he resigned from professional hockey to continue on with school (Hockeydb cites Lakehead University).

Defenseman Tim Maxwell - Maxwell is both the only non-rookie player and lone player on the qualifying offers list who didn’t skate in Florida last season. The 26-year-old, Bowling Green State University graduate played both of his professional years for the Utah Grizzlies (I see a trend…).

Defenseman Scott Hotham - Last and final rookie 25-year-old Hotham (sound familiar? He’s son of NHL veteran Greg “Hawk” Hotham) you can potentially cross of the list, he already signed with Lilehammer (Norway) Ice Hockey Club. Poss is hopeful, telling Naples Daily News there’s a chance after the August 1 Lilhammer training camp that if the Barrie, Ontario native changes his mind, Hotham is welcome back in Florida. Here’s a Q&A with Hotham.

Looks like Poss is looking for lots of young talent, I’m excited to see the final roster!

Don’t forget, you can follow me on twitter @caitykauffman!

Tags: craig brush, florida everblades, Greg Poss