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Everblades sign defenseman Peto
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The Florida Everblades announced their first player signing for the 2008-09 season on Tuesday, adding defenseman Kyle Peto to the roster.
Peto, 25, played last season in England and scored 22 points in 39 games for the Basingstoke Bison, finishing second on the team in scoring among defensemen. He said he was debating whether to return to Europe next season or come back to the United States, but the only team he wanted to play for in the ECHL was Florida.
“When I found out I had a chance to come down (to Florida) ... I told the German team, ‘No,’ ” Peto said on Tuesday from his home in Alberta.
Before playing in England, the 6-foot, 190-pound defenseman played three seasons for Minnesota State-Mankato and spent half of the 2006-07 season in Finland before joining the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads for their run to the Kelly Cup championship.
“I’d like to help bring the first Kelly Cup to Florida and to (coach Malcolm Cameron). I know he’s been waiting for one for awhile,” Peto said.
Peto first contacted the Blades through 2007-08 defenseman Steve Czech, who got Peto in touch with Blades general manager Craig Brush. Czech, who played at the Minnesota-Duluth, competed against Peto in college and the two have stayed in touch since. When Czech heard Peto wanted to return to the United States, he suggested Peto try and join the Blades.
Shortly after Peto’s first phone conversation with Brush, Cameron called Peto on May 30 — the same day Cameron was officially named the Blades new coach, replacing seven-year veteran Gerry Fleming.
On that day, Cameron told Peto that he liked defenseman who jump up and play with the forwards.
“As soon as I heard that, I was sold,” Peto said. “(My contract) got wrapped up pretty quickly. ... I’m kind of like the fourth forward up there, and I’ll get my points defensively ... but I’ll take care of our end first.”
Peto had 21 points in 47 games with Idaho and finished his career at Minnesota State with 78 points in 108 games.
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