The Florida Everblades announced Wednesday that they have entered into a multi-year affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues.
The Everblades will serve as an affiliate for the Blues and their primary developmental affiliate, the American Hockey League’s Springfield (Mass.) Thunderbirds, starting with the 2024-25 season.
“This affiliation with the St. Louis Blues is incredibly exciting for the Everblades organization and me personally,” Everblades owner David Hoffmann, a Missouri native, said. “Having the opportunity to partner with a team from my home state, a team with such a rich history and passionate fanbase, is truly special.
The Blues were founded in 1967 as a part of the NHL's original expansion from six to 21 teams. In 2019, St. Louis captured a Stanley Cup and has the most playoff appearances outside the league's original six teams.
Last season, the Blues posted a 43-33-6 overall record with 92 points in the NHL standings. That was the best record by any team that did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Blues battled it out all season in a very tough Central Division, falling just short of a playoff appearance by just two points. The Central Division was the only one in the league to produce four teams with 99 points or more. Since their inaugural season in 1967-68, St. Louis has qualified for the playoffs 45 times.
“We are excited to announce our affiliation with the Everblades today,” Kevin Maxwell, General Manager of the St. Louis Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, said. “The franchise has captured three consecutive Kelly Cup Championships and will provide an excellent environment for our prospects to continue in their professional development.”
The Everblades were founded in 1998, and the team will celebrate its 27th season as an organization in 2024-25. Florida is coming off their fourth Kelly Cup Championship in 2023-24, exiting a season in which the team played in front of sellout crowds on 18 separate occasions.
Florida went 16-7 in the postseason and became the ECHL's first team to hoist the Kelly Cup for three straight seasons. The Everblades captured a title in 2012, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Additionally, the Everblades have won six conference championships, eight division championships and four Brabham Cups, which are awarded to the ECHL's team with the top regular-season record.
In 26 seasons, the Everblades have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs every year but one, and 40 Everblades players have gone on to compete in the NHL.
“We are excited to have the St. Louis Blues as our new NHL affiliate,” Everblades President Craig Brush said. “The strong ownership group led by Chairman and Governor Tom Stillman, along with President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong have built a tremendous organization in St. Louis. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the development of players for the Blues and Springfield Thunderbirds. I want to thank my long-time friend Steve Chapman, Executive Vice President, Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer for the Blues for his hard work to make this happen.”
Now, the Everblades and Blues will be affiliated for the first time in the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.
