📍 Estero, Florida
🏒 Home of the Florida Everblades

A dominant force in the ECHL, the Florida Everblades are one of minor league hockey’s winningest teams – and the southernmost. Playing out of Hertz Arena, a 7,100 seat venue in the Fort Myers suburb of Estero on the edge of the Everglades, the ‘Blades have been defending the swamp and bringing titles to southwest Florida since 1998.

The team was founded in part by Peter Karmanos, Jr. – former owner of the Carolina Hurricanes – who suggested a green and blue color scheme for the franchise, a tribute to the beloved Hartford Whalers that he relocated to Raleigh around the same time as the establishment of the Everblades. With their wonderfully unique logo, featuring an alligator in the shape of a hockey skate, and their name of course a genius play on the nearby Everglades swampland, the ‘Blades fit in well in the region.

However, the bright yellow façade of Hertz Arena, located adjacent to the Miromar Outlets in Estero and built specifically for the ‘Blades, stands out against the lush green environment of Florida’s Suncoast. Inside, the frigidity of the venue also stands in stark contrast to the consistently hot and humid climate; yet, somehow, hockey has not just survived here but thrived here.

The Everblades have been hot over the last several seasons as they’ve slashed and snapped their way to becoming the most successful team in the ECHL. Overall, Florida has appeared in the Kelly Cup Finals on seven occasions and has come out on top a total of 4 times, including execution of the league’s first three-peat in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In fact, in their nearly three decades of existence, the ‘Blades have only missed the playoffs once, a truly remarkable feat.

Did you know?
Hertz Arena has also been home to a few arena football and basketball teams, including the Florida Firecats of the AF2 and the Florida Flame of the NBA D-League.

No matter their affiliation, having been a partner of the Hurricanes, Predators, Panthers and Blues over the years, their steadfast fans and amazing accomplishments have solidified the Everblades as the true Kings of the Coast.