Note: This is a fan run site. It does not officially represent any of the fan or booster clubs listed herein! Next General Everblades Booster Club Meeting: Monday, October 8, 2001 EVERBLADES HOCKEY IS ALMOST HERE! August 14, 2001 By Amy Jane Mellott Finally, the lonnngggg waiting spell is almost over! Hockey season is just around the corner! EVENTS TO CALENDAR The August/September Newsletter is in the mail with full details on each of the following events: Monday, October 8 Opening Meeting 7 PM - TECO Arena Meet and Greet head coach Gerry Fleming Sunday, October 28 Cruise With the Blades 1:30 - 3:30 PM ~ Sonesta Harbour Princess The flyer for this event is in newsletter! Limited spots are available! Membership renewal applications are enclosed in the Aug/Sep newsletter. ALL memberships are renewable on Oct. 1, 2001. REMEMBER Booster patches and chevrons are available to booster club members for purchase. Patches are $6 each and chevrons are $2 each. The "Opening Night Puck" will be a special edition puck welcoming head coach Gerry Fleming Correction to newsletter: Where are they Now?? David Valleries is a Dayton Bomber and not in Cleveland. ADDITIONAL DATES TO NOTE: 1st Annual Everblades Fan Fest Saturday, August 18th, 11 AM - 3 PM for details call (941) 948-PUCK The Booster Club will be there! Stop by our table and renew old friendships! Pre-Season NHL Exhibition Games September 15th vs. the Tampa Bay Lighting and September 18th vs. the Florida Panthers EVERBLADES EXHIBITION GAMES Fri/Sat October 5th and 6th vs. the Columbus Cottonmouths and finally, GO BLADES!! Former Blades Score Hardware CINCINNATI, OH - The Cincinnati Cyclones Fan Club Annual Awards Banquet was held at the Syndicate Restaurant in Covington, Kentucky, and several members of the Cyclones were recognized for outstanding achievement during the 2000-2001 season. The Lois Campbell Memorial Award for being the Cyclones most valuable player was split between Cyclones right winger Greg Koehler and center Byron Ritchie. Koehler, in his 3rd professional season is currently the Cyclones leading scorer and has recorded career-highs in goals with 34, assists with 35, power play goals with 17 and points with 69. Ritchie, also in his 3rd professional season is now tied for 2nd place in scoring with career-highs in goals with 31, assists with 34, points with 65 and penalty minutes with 166. The Fan Club Newcomer of the Year Award went to Cyclones defenseman Jeremiah McCarthy who has played in 68 games, scoring 6 goals, with 12 assists for 18 points. Koehler also won the award for being the most-improved player of the year with his offensive numbers this season. Cyclones defenseman Greg Kuznik won the Unsung Hero Award, voted on by the Fan Club for the player who receives little attention for his contributions to the Cyclones organization on and off the ice. Erik Cole won the Cyclones Rookie of the Year Award, as he currently leads all Cyclones rookies in goals with 23, and leads all IHL Rookies in shorthanded goals with 4. Cyclones Captain Gilbert Dionne was selected to receive the Fan Club's Most Popular Player Award. Dionne, who is the 2nd leading scorer for the Cyclones in franchise history is in his 4th season with the club, and needs three goals to tie an all-time record for goals scored (137) held by former Cyclones Captain Don Biggs. Defenseman Len Esau was honored by the fan club with a select presentation of a proclamation from Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken, proclaiming April 11th, 2001 to be Len Esau Day in Cincinnati. Esau is playing in his final season of professional hockey and has been a valued member of the Cyclones defensive corps for the past two seasons. One of the lighter moments of the evening came when members of the fan club awarded gag gifts to members of the Cyclones team, for memorable humorous incidents involving Cyclones players that occured during the season. After the individual awards were handed out, scrap-books created by various members of the fan club were handed out to the Cyclones Players, Coaches and Staff. The scrap-books are a culmination of newspaper clippings, photographs, magazine articles and special inclusions of symbolic memorabilia representing the 2000-2001 season. Several fan club members gave gifts to various Cyclones players and staff to show appreciation for their contributions on and off the ice during the 2000-2001 hockey season. A good time was had by all. Florida Everblades Booster Club Update By A.J. Mellott The Florida Everblades and the Floria Everblades Booster Club are both looking forward to a banner year with the addition of head coach Gerry Fleming to the organization. For those who missed the annual meeting on Sunday, June 3, 2001, here are a few of the highlights. First the membership held their elections. The following people comprise your Board of Directors for 2001/2002: President: Mark Cooper 1st VP: Daniel Smith 2nd VP: Keith Christiansen Secretary: Melissa Willis Treasurer: Doug Byington The Blades Booster patches were unveiled and passed around The new items for raffle were previewed - new stick, new shadow boxes, and bears!!! The budget report was presented (complete list will be in the next newsletter) New ideas for events/activities with the team were presented A wonderful time had by all! The highlight of the meeting was the attendance of our new head coach Gerry Fleming. Coach Fleming, along with his wife, Carol, and daughter, Jessica, absolutely delighted and impressed the members. Coach Fleming, Carol and Jessica made the rounds and visited each table chatting (at length) with each. They spent about an hour and a half with us before having to leave to meet with Mr. Brush. They are excited about joining the team, and have found a great place to live. Jessica is happy with her new middle school. For a more detailed story on Coach Fleming, his views, what he had to say to us, his thoughts on the Booster Club, and ideas watch for the next Blades Banner. Once season is underway, we will be adding a new section to our newsletter called "Coaches Corner. Watch your mail for details on a booster function mid-summer! Who knows who'll show up??!! In the meanwhile, remember.......... GO BLADES!