Hockey in the Sun

Jean Guy–12 years of Everblades love

ESTERO, FLA—When Craig Brush, president of the Everblades, went to get “E-Blades” on his license plate 12 years ago, he found out the phrase had already been taken. Jean Guy, a die-hard Florida Everblades fan, already had it on the front of her 2006 Solara. Brush was stuck with “E-Blades1.″

The 67-year-old woman has been a season-ticket holder since the Blades opened their doors at Germain Arena, in Estero, Fla, November 19, 1998 against the Charlotte Checkers. She still has the original white pom pom, with the date on the handle that was given away by the Everblades.

“I think it’s exciting to see the finesse of the players,” Guy said. “It’s (hockey) a combination of a mental game and a physical game.”

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Everblades attract Florida hockey fans

ESTERO, FLA–In a sport fading nationally, a minor league hockey team, the Florida Everblades, draws crowds in southwest Florida.

Why? The town of Estero certainly doesn’t have snowy winters, backyard skating rinks or pond hockey. What it does have is snowbirds. The population booms from 33,991 to 52,893 during the winter months, according to EsteroFl.org.

Twelve years ago Everblades President Craig Brush and his partners Peter Karmanos and Thomas Thewes brought hockey to southwest Florida.

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