The OHL handed out its ultimate prize this past week, and the ECHL did as well, with six alumni hoisting the Kelly Cup as members of the Florida Everblades.
Former five-year OHL forward Alex Aleardi picked up a pair of assists as the Everblades defeated the Toledo Walleye 4-2 in Game 5 of their series last Saturday, June 11th, as the two teams combined for all six goals in the opening period. The Kelly Cup title is Florida’s second, following a previous championship in 2012.
Mississauga Steelheads graduate Stefan LeBlanc logged big minutes for Florida, finishing the playoffs with 15 points (5-10–15) in 20 games while former OHL champions Jordan Sambrook and Stephen Desrocher joined him on the blue line.
Former Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors and Sarnia Sting winger Kyle Neuber, who was injured throughout the playoffs, became the 52nd player in ECHL history to win multiple Kelly Cup titles, claiming the honour for a second time.
The Everblades, who serve as the ECHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators, were coached by OHL graduate Brad Ralph who completed his sixth season at the helm. Ralph surpassed John Brophy for the most postseason wins in ECHL history, ending the playoffs with 63.
Florida eliminated Greenville, Jacksonville and Newfoundland before besting Toledo to win the Kelly Cup, playing to an overall playoff record of 16-3.
OHL Graduates who won Kelly Cup with Florida Everblades:
Alex Aleardi (Kitchener/Belleville/Plymouth/Windsor, 2008-13)
Stephen Desrocher (Oshawa/Kingston, 2013-17)
Stefan LeBlanc (Sudbury/Mississauga, 2013-17)
Kyle Neuber (Toronto/Mississauga/Sarnia, 2006-10)
Jordan Sambrook (Erie/Sault Ste. Marie, 2015-19)
Coach Brad Ralph (Oshawa, 1997-2000)
For more on Florida’s championship run, visit echl.com.
