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ESTERO — Almost six months ago, the Texas Wildcatters were coming off a long winning streak when coach Malcolm Cameron told his players he still wasn’t satisfied.

The Catters had won that night, too. They won 52 times last season. But Cameron brought his team back on the ice at practice the next morning after the game for more conditioning.

Players call that getting “bag-skated,” and it almost never happens. Especially not after a win.

“What’s he so worked up about?” some of them griped afterward, sweat pouring down their jerseys.

The ones who’d played for Cameron longer just stayed quiet.

They knew better.

“It’s all about (Cameron’s) passion for the game,” former Texas defenseman John Adams said. “And if you’re serious about playing hockey, that’s what you need as a player.”

Fast forward to Friday morning at Germain Arena. Seven-year Florida Everblades coach Gerry Fleming had announced his resignation a month earlier, and Blades general manager Craig Brush named Cameron as Florida’s new coach.

The 38-year-old stood tall, proud next to Brush. When he took the microphone, Cameron’s characteristic intensity came through as he talked about his “dream job.”

His loquacity and excitement were in stark contrast to Fleming’s often stoic demeanor. Clearly, a new era in the Blades’ 10-year history had already begun.

Adams, who played with the Blades during the 2005-06 season, and 2007-08 Texas captain John McNabb have played for both Fleming and Cameron. McNabb was a key member of the Blades’ run to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2004-05.

McNabb, a 2007-08 second-team All-ECHL forward, said Florida is the best place he has ever played pro hockey. But when the Blades recruited him last season, he declined.

McNabb went to Texas instead, and went there because of Cameron. McNabb said Friday that he wants to follow Cameron to Florida next season.

“It’s the only place I’ll play in the (ECHL),” he said.

Why that passion for a coach McNabb has played under for just one season — last year?

Cameron “brings in very talented players every year,” McNabb said. “And he demands execution.

“Plus, he’s a very good tactician. His video sessions are head and shoulders above any other coach I’ve ever played for. ... It makes a huge difference.”

McNabb said he expected Cameron to try and bring “five or six” players with him to Florida from Texas or other teams he has coached in the past. Who those players are will depend on which ones are able to sign with AHL teams and which ones are able to get out of contractual obligations to the Ontario (Calif.) Reign. After Texas relocated to Ontario, all of the Texas players’ rights were transferred to Ontario, meaning the Reign have the first option to sign Texas’ players within the ECHL.

McNabb mentioned Adams and 29-goal-scorer Kevin Baker as players who might be interested in coming to Florida with Cameron, and Adams said Florida would be his first choice in the ECHL. Adams is hoping, though, to get a one-way AHL contract next season.

Cameron coaxed Baker, who began the 2007-08 season in Europe, back to the United States and Texas, and he went on to finish the season with 56 points in 44 games.

Cameron’s assessment of his own coaching style doesn’t differ much from his former players’ reports.

“Early on, I was a pretty intense, demanding guy — I demanded a lot out of my players,” he said. “Here in Florida, we’re going to play a fun, up-tempo, puck possession style. Very offensive, physical.”

And that word again: “intense.”

“I don’t turn it off,” he continued. “I work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

“I think the guy sometimes sleeps at the arena, to be honest with you,’ McNabb said.

Adams admitted that sometimes Cameron’s intensity and continual demand for perfection can be tough on his players.

“You learn to handle it, though. And then you try to match it,” Adams said. “Nobody’s going to argue that (Cameron) doesn’t work as hard, if not harder, than anyone out there. He’s very careful about the players he selects — he makes sure he gets guys who are used to being in high-pressure situations.”

That constant recruiting led Cameron to contacts with many former and current Blades players. Everblades captain Ernie Hartlieb said Cameron has tried to recruit him since 2004, when Cameron was the Long Beach head coach.

Brush asked Hartlieb and 2007-08 forward Brad Herauf to attend Friday’s press conference as team representatives. Both players had shoulder surgery last month but are expected to return to the Blades next season.

Both players have seen plenty of Cameron, at least from the opposing bench.

“You can see how much (Cameron) loves the game,” Hartlieb said. “I’d skate by him after we scored a goal, and he’d just give me that look ... and then a little smile. He’s extremely competitive, but he’s also having fun out there every night.”

Cameron said he has always loved being in Germain Arena, but he thinks he’ll love it even more now.

“I’m expecting Florida to be the toughest building for opposing teams to play at next season,” McNabb said.

Tough because of the Blades’ dedicated fans; talented, fast skaters; and a new coach whose intensity promises to equal or exceed that of even the most crazed Everblades fans.

Note: The original story stated that Cameron had bag-skated his team immediately following the game. The story should have stated that the additional conditioning practice didn't happen until the morning after the game.