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More Florida Everblades

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• Everblades continue to add Texas flavor
• Blades sign former Texas forward Bouchard

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ESTERO — Eight and a half years ago, Florida Everblades head coach Malcolm Cameron -- then assistant coach at Acadia University in Nova Scotia -- went to watch a game in the Ontario Hockey League. He was in charge of scouting the OHL.

The game had its share of stars, including future San Jose Sharks phenom Jonathan Cheechoo, who scored 56 goals for the Sharks during the '05-06 season.

But someone else caught Cameron's eye that icy night in Ontario: a 20-year-old winger named Kevin Baker.

"He was the best player on the ice that night," Cameron remembered.

Cameron couldn't recruit Baker to Acadia that season, but Baker came to Acadia two years later, going on to be named the Canadian Interuniversity Sport hockey league's Player of the Year in 2006.

The next two years, Baker joined Cameron on the ECHL's Texas Wildcatters, scoring 66 goals and adding 72 assists in just 106 games.

Then, Cameron replaced seven-year coach Gerry Fleming as head coach of the Blades on May 30.

On Tuesday, the announcement many Southwest Florida hockey fans had been waiting for finally came: Baker is following Cameron again -- becoming the fifth player signed by the Blades for the '08-09 season.

He joins returning forwards Mike McLean and Jarret Lukin, as well as newcomer David Nimmo, a forward, and defenseman Kyle Peto.

Cameron said on Tuesday that he's making progress toward a deal with '07-08 Blades captain Ernie Hartlieb, and he and Blades GM Craig Brush have also hinted at an agreement with '07-08 Blades penalty minutes leader Brad Herauf. Additionally, 23-year-old forward Justin Bowers told a Canadian newspaper in June that he had made an agreement with Cameron to come to the Blades next season, a statement that Cameron has not confirmed.

'07-08 Texas captain John McNabb has told the Daily News he won't play anywhere but Florida next season, but Cameron said on Tuesday that he has yet to reach a deal with the 30-year-old winger, who was second-team all-ECHL last season.

McNabb's wife has a high-paying job in Austin, Texas, Cameron said, and the couple has some tough decisions to make. Cameron said he's going to be very patient with McNabb, similar to the situation with '07-08 Blades third-leading scorer Preston Callander.

Is McNabb considering retirement?

"I haven't even discussed that with him," Cameron said. "I think he (and his wife) just need some time to figure everything out."

While uncertainty about next year's team still abounds -- hockey season won't start until October -- on Tuesday Cameron was clearly excited about reaching a deal with Baker.

"I talked to him the day after I took the (Blades) job," Cameron said. "You've got to build your team around the philosophy you have as a coach, go get the players who will fit in well ... You want to surround yourself with people you've won with before."

Baker, 29, said he basically decided to come to Florida as soon as Cameron took the Blades coaching job.

"We were just out golfing, he gave me his speech and I agreed right away," Baker said on Tuesday from his home in Beaumont, Texas. "I'm looking forward to it big-time. I love the arena; I love the fans ... It was kinda fun being on the other side of it (with Texas), but I think it'll be even better to actually be an Everblade and hear them cheering for me."

"I've always had success (at Germain Arena); now I can have my success as an Everblade."

Blades fans have seen Baker's scoring prowess many times, as Texas dominated Florida during the past two regular seasons, going 16-5-1 against the Blades.

The Blades could've used Baker's scoring last season.

He scored more goals (29) than any of the Blades players did, despite playing just 44 of 72 regular-season games, because he started the season playing in Europe.

If his scoring from the past two seasons continues, Baker will likely be an attractive call-up to AHL teams next season. But Cameron said Baker had lots of opportunities in the AHL last season, too, and he decided to stay in Texas.

"He's kind of been there, done that ... he knows the AHL is a call-up situation for him right now, and his goal is to win a championship," Cameron said of Baker. "He's interested in settling down in Florida."

Baker, who's getting married in August and planning to buy a home with his wife, Kacie, in Southwest Florida, reiterated Cameron's words.

"I'm at a point right now in my life ... that I was choosing a place where I wanted to stay and play and build a life," Baker said. "(If I get called up to the AHL), I'll have to figure it out ... as of right now, I'm planning to stay in Florida, and that's where I'm gonna be."