Everblades Re-Sign Trevor Bruess; Sign Brayden Irwin

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ESTERO, FL – Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Greg Poss announced Wednesday that the team has agreed to terms with forwards Trevor Bruess and Brayden Irwin for the 2012-13 season.

Bruess, 26, returns to the Everblades after totaling 40 points (18g, 22a) along with 86 penalty minutes, and a plus-15 rating last season. The ‘Baldes assistant captain also chipped in 12 points (5g, 7a) in 18 playoff games last spring.

Prior to Florida, the 6-0, 192-pound gritty forward spent two seasons in the Washington Capitals affiliation system with the Hershey Bears (AHL) and the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL). He registered five assists and 76 penalty minutes in 36 appearances with Hershey during the 2010-11 season. The previous year, he logged a goal and an assist in 14 games with the Bears, while also adding 25 points (8g, 17a) and 76 penalty minutes in 46 games played with the Stingrays.

“Trevor played a big part in our success last season,” said Poss. “He is a tenacious, two-way center, who is strong on faceoffs, and centered that talented line with Matt Beca and Mathieu Roy which was so effective for us last season and in the playoffs”

The Minneapolis, Minnesota native played three seasons at Minnesota State University- Mankato totaling 61 career points (24g, 37a) and 273 penalty minutes.

Irwin, 25, returns for his second season in Florida, after registering a balanced 31 points (17g, 14a) in 36 appearances last year. The 6-5, 223 pound forward also delivered in the postseason, producing 13 points (6g, 7a) in 17 games. Irwin posted a goal and an two assists in his Everblades debut on January 11, 2012.

The Toronto Ontario Native was reassigned to Florida last January by the Toronto Marlies (AHL) after logging 15 points (7g, 8a) in 47 games played from (2009-2011).

“Brayden is a big-bodied, and intelligent hockey player who can play in all situations,” said Poss. “He put up good numbers last year despite the fact he had to deal with injuries last summer. I ook forward to seeing what he can accomplish this season after having a full summer of training to work with.”

Irwin played two games in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs logging two penalty minutes during the 2009-2010 season. Irwin accumulated 82 points (38g, 44a) during his four-year collegiate career at the University of Vermont.