More Florida Everblades

• Everblades cruise to 7-2 win at Elmira
• Blades' Micflikier named ECHL Player of Week
• McArdle becomes 15th ex-Blade to play in NHL

Tell us about it

• What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
• Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
• Upload photos & videos
• More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

Share and Enjoy [?]

Last October, David Nimmo was a member of the rough-and-tumble Mississippi RiverKings team that barreled into Germain Arena for two fight-filled exhibition games against the Florida Everblades.

The RiverKings were outclassed both nights in losses, as the ECHL asserted its dominance over the CHL — a minor pro hockey league generally considered to be a step below the second-tier ECHL.

Nimmo, 25, got little playing time in both games, then was traded to Amarillo, where he went on to be named the CHL’s Rookie of the Year.

Nine months later, he’s preparing for a return to Germain Arena — this time as a member of the Blades.

The team announced the 6-foot-2, 220-pound center’s signing on Tuesday, making him the fourth player officially signed for the 2008-09 season under new head coach Malcolm Cameron. He joins fellow newcomer defenseman Kyle Peto and returning forwards Mike McLean and Jarret Lukin.

Cameron has also hinted at forthcoming deals with 2007-08 captain Ernie Hartlieb, forward Brad Herauf and 2007-08 Texas forwards John McNabb, a second-team All-ECHL selection, and Kevin Baker, a 29 goal-scorer in 44 games last season.

The first-year Blades coach played four years in the CHL, so he has respect for the league, but Nimmo said it was Blades general manager Craig Brush who made the first recruiting contacts with him, before Cameron was hired.

Nimmo caught Brush’s attention with a breakout season last year, scoring 41 goals and adding 43 assists in 64 games, on his way to the rookie-of-the-year honors and Southern Conference All-Star appearance.

“(The ECHL) is a step up ... a jump for me for sure, but hopefully I can make the most of it,” Nimmo said. “I’m hoping to contribute like I did last year ... get some power-play time ... just be a big offensive presence around the net.”

The Blades didn’t have many big forwards last season, as just two on the playoff roster were taller than 6-foot and over 200 pounds.

CALLANDER COULD RETURN: Preston Callander, who scored 57 points in 47 games with the Blades last season, hinted at a possible return to Florida for the 2008-09 season by phone Monday from his offseason home in Boston.

The team has made a qualifying to Callander, and coach Malcolm Cameron said the 28-year-old forward is one of the top players the Blades would like to get back.

“We’re going to be very patient with (Callander),” Cameron said last week, noting that Preston and his wife, Rachel, just had their first baby, a son named Tyler.

Callander said family is the focus right now.

“Once you’re holding that baby in your arms, everything changes,” he said. “We have to figure out what’s the best for the three of us. ... I really liked Florida and we want to come back there. If I’m in the (ECHL), that’s definitely the place I want to be.”

Callander, who played the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons in Germany, will likely have to weigh the Blades’ offer with offers from European and even AHL teams. An AHL contract would likely pay more and offer more exposure. But Callander said he wouldn’t necessarily choose an AHL team over the Blades.

“There might be a situation where Florida is a better opportunity for us, even if I do get an (AHL) contract,” said Callander, who tied for second on the Blades in goals last season with 25.