Ex-Pete Lorentz wraps up first season in ECHL
Florida Everblades were one win away from the Kelly Cup
Steve Lorentz was one win away from an ECHL championship with two former Peterborough Petes teammates in his first year of pro hockey.
The Florida Everblades lost Game 7 of the Kelly Cup final 3-2 to the Colorado Eagles Saturday night in Fort Myers, Fla.
“My first year was a great experience from the word go,” said Lorentz, who also played three games for the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. “I got to develop because I got lots of playing time. I got to learn from a group of guys who were a little older and more experienced.”
Lorentz, property of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, shared an apartment with ex-Petes Nelson Armstrong and Clark Seymour. “Living off the ice with Clark and Nellie, familiar faces from my first year in Peterborough, it was really nice to catch up with them,” he said. “That brotherhood doesn’t leave when you finish junior.”
Lorentz had 12 goals and 35 points in 62 regular season games. He came on in the playoffs posting five goals and 10 points in 19 games.
“It was an incredible year. We just fell a little bit short,” he said. “It was so close and that’s what stings right now. Some people might say it’s only the Kelly Cup but it takes the same amount of games to win the Stanley Cup. That was our motto from the word go. The Kelly Cup was our Stanley Cup and we were going to fight for it just as hard as if we were in the NHL.
“It was a lot of fun playing this season. I can’t complain about playing in Florida where you can have a practice and after that go to the beach or hit the golf course.”
Seymour was a pivotal member of the club’s defence. Armstrong, also in his first year of pro after attending University of P.E.I., was having a strong season until he suffered a broken hand and then a separated shoulder. He was limited to two playoff games.
It was Lorentz’s first time living away from his or a billet’s home. He said Seymour and Armstrong helped his adjustment on and off the ice.
“Clark was kind of like my dad at some points of the year, making dinner and stuff, but I learned pretty quickly,” he said. “Nellie is such a great guy off the ice and so funny. Clark is one of the guys I looked up to most. He’s played a few seasons of pro and knows how to handle himself and is such a mature guy. Everything he does is exemplary and he’s such a good leader. He was always a guy I could go to whether it was a hockey question or a life question.”
Lorentz’s goal is to make it to Charlotte next season.
“The games I was up there for I learned a ton. I realized what I have to bring every single day in order to make that club next season. I’m prepared to do that and feel very confident I will be able to,” he said. “The game is a lot quicker and a lot less margin for error. You really have to bring your A-game every night.”