Blues enter affiliation agreement with ECHL’s Florida Everblades

The St. Louis Blues have a new minor-league team under their banner.

On Wednesday, the Blues announced they have entered a multi-year affiliation agreement with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. The contract will begin with the 2024-25 season.

The Blues have not had an ‘AA’ affiliate since they were last connected with the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers in 2019-20.

“This affiliation with the St. Louis Blues is incredibly exciting for the Everblades organization and me personally,” Everblades owner David Hoffmann said in a release. “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 add the Everblades as their secondary affiliate, behind the Springfield Thunderbirds, who have been with St. Louis since 2021.

“We are excited to have the St. Louis Blues as our new NHL affiliate,” Everblades President Craig Brush said. “We look forward to becoming an integral part of the development of players for the Blues and Springfield Thunderbirds.”

The Everblades operated as an independent team during the 2023-24 season. In 2022-23, they were affiliated with the Florida Panthers and the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. The Everblades have also been affiliated with the Carolina Hurricanes (2001-07, 2008-19), Tampa Bay Lightning (2010-15) and Nashville Predators (2019-22).

“Our new affiliation with the Everblades marks a great addition to our organizational system,” Thunderbirds GM Kevin Maxwell 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.”

This past spring, the Everblades accomplished something unprecedented. After beating the Kansas City Mavericks, Florida became the first team in ECHL history to win the Kelly Cup three years in a row.

This is not the first time St. Louis has been connected with a team from the Sunshine State. For the 2000-01 campaign, the Pensacola Ice Pilots, then part of the ECHL, were affiliated with the Blues.