There were 23 players on the ice for Monday morning's first official Florida Everblades training camp practice at Germain Arena — and probably twice as many fans in the stands.

Head coach Gerry Fleming is describing this as the biggest camp he has ever presided over, and the mix of new faces and returning players alike were caught off-guard by the reception they received when they exited the players' tunnel.

"They definitely love their hockey here in Southwest Florida," said veteran forward Brent McDonald, who is about to begin his sixth season with the nine-year-old ECHL franchise. "It was a nice surprise to go out there and have the fans cheering us on. The first day of training camp, it's great to have all the support out there."

The article includes the first photo gallery of the 2006-07 season.

Fans greet, Blades meet

The Florida Everblades’ roster consists of players on a melting pot of contracts.

There are six players under contract with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. There are five players under contract with the NHL’s Florida Panthers. Other Blades are on American Hockey League and ECHL contracts.

Blades coach Gerry Fleming’s job is to get his NHL- and AHL-contracted players to put aside their connection to their parent clubs and unite under the his team’s logo. Fleming, whose squad kicked off its 2006-07 training camp Monday at Germain Arena, has stressed unity since the club had its first team meeting Saturday.

“We talked about how hard we work as an organization to really make our logo one of the most recognized not only in hockey but minor-league sports. We work hard at it and we expect our guys to work hard at it,” said Fleming, who is entering his sixth season with the team. “We really emphasize and try to get guys to buy into what we’re selling right away, regardless of what contract you’re on.”

Welcome to the Everblades. No clicking (cliquing?). Huggy Bears optional.

Blades a mix of talent

And finally a press release on something we knew days ago showed up late yesterday:

Everblades get two added by Panthers

Come on Kevin, get with the program here.

Also, a nice article out of the Reading Eagle on referee training camp:

Twenty of the most hated men in hockey were skating laps en masse, creating a herd of on-ice zebras that was almost more fitting for Animal Planet than ESPN.

Showing surprisingly good stamina, the assembled referees and linesmen skated through conditioning drills for more than a half an hour with little rest. They clapped and barked words of encouragement at each other as if they were a hockey team with striped jerseys.

It marked one of the few times this year that they weren't booed.

The practice was part of the annual ECHL on-ice officials camp, held last weekend in Reading. Due to this year's sweeping rules changes, the camp held more intrigue than previous versions.

Hockey players aren't the only ones skating wind-sprints.

Referees Learn New Rules In Training Camp

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Preseason Game
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Who: Texas Wildcatters at Florida Everblades
When: Friday, October 13, 2006; 7:30 PM
Where: Germain Arena
TV: None
Radio: None
Web site: www.floridaeverblades.com

No articles on the Amerks -- just a couple of press releases...

Amerks prepare for home-and-home series with Sens
Are you the messenger post fan of the game?

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Next Game
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Who: Binghamton Senators at Rochester Americans
When: Friday, October 13, 2006; 7:35 PM
Where: Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial
TV: B2 Networks
Radio: WHTK 1280-AM
Internet: mms://168.75.182.197/rochester
Web site: www.amerks.com