Florida Everblades return for hockey season with added safety precautions

Today is a new beginning for the Florida Everblades and 12 other minor league hockey teams.

While some teams decided to sit this season out due to the pandemic, the Everblades jumped at the opportunity to take to the ice once again, albeit with plenty of safety precautions.

“It’s kind of an artificial bubble,” said Craig Bush, president and general manager of the Everblades. “Before they come to the rink in the morning, they have to take their own temperature and they have an app that they have to put that in, as well as answer 10 questions, and if any of the questions are yeses then they’re stopped from coming until they talk to the trainer.”

Players are not allowed to go to any bars, but they can eat out at restaurants deemed safe by the team. If anyone from the team tests positive for the coronavirus, there’s a designated apartment for them to quarantine in. The league is keeping a close eye on these protocols, but the players are happy to follow them

“We only have our schedules until Jan. 15 right now; that’s 10 games, and our hopes are that we’re able to play the full season,” said John McCarron, Everblades center. “We can only kind of take it week by week, because everything changes basically daily.”

The last time the Florida Everblades hit the ice was in March, when they grabbed a 4-1 victory over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. It’s made for a long off season, and the players missed the game.

“Since I’ve been 5 years old, I don’t think I’ve taken that long of a break,” McCarron said. “I was in the coach’s office monthly trying to get updates when I could, and they had seem to be optimistic, so that led to me being optimistic throughout the summer and into this fall season.”

Coaches prepared to recondition their whole team and general managers lost sleep putting together a safe plan for their programs.

“A lot of guys weren’t able to skate and train the way they normally do, so it’s been a ton of work just to establish a baseline,” said Brad Ralph, the team’s head coach and director of hockey operations.

“The problem started in March, so I guess it’s kind of like having a baby,” Bush said. “I’ve never had one, but it’s probably the same amount of stress.”

By now, however, much of that stress has been replaced with excitement.

“At this point, we’re playing hockey,” Ralph said.

10 games are planned between now and mid-January, with hope that more will be added.

“Completing our whole season is our objective,” McCarron said. “And if we can do that, y’know, win the Kelly Cup at the end of the year.”

If you plan to attend a game at Hertz Arena, you’ll need your face mask. Arena staff have also reseated the stadium, blocking out every other row so you can keep your distance from other fans. Tickets can be purchased online.