Florida Everblades with Michael Neville

In this episode, Florida Everblades forward Michael Neville talk about his hockey career, which has taken him from Canada to Southwest Florida. First, we talk about his early hockey career. Neville explains how he fell in love with Graf skates early in his hockey career. Then, he switched to Bauer skates as a teenager, which he has used since those early Graf skates. Like most Canadians, hockey has been huge in Mike's life. He remembers seeing legendary hockey personality Don Cherry host Hockey Night in Canada. Michael is a huge Toronto Maple Leafs fan, and he loved seeing Mats Sundin in a Maple Leaf sweater. Michael was drafted to the Ontario Hockey League, but he really wanted a college scholarship. He attended Michigan Technological University on a hockey scholarship. We switch the conversation to how hockey players train before and during the season. Michael explains that hockey players do core and leg exercises leading into the next season. Then, hockey players are mostly on the ice. Throughout a game, hockey players block putts. Michael is so relieved he got a pair of skates with shot-blockers to provide extra padding for his feet. While painful, this sacrifice is always helpful and showing his toughness for his teammates. Michael has received six fighting majors this ECHL season. He believes fighting can win the respect of his teammates. He also talks about the tough opponents he has fought this year. We end this episode by previewing the Kelly Cup Playoffs, which will begin tomorrow night. The Florida Everblades host the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Michael says the Swamp Rabbits possess plenty of speed and an ability to get under your skin. Michael is also hoping to capture his first professional title after winning titles in his Junior and college career.