ESTERO, FL – It’s good to hear about old hockey friends (even though you can hardly call these young men – old!). It’s even better to see that they are still playing and are successful. Three former Florida Everblades are currently participating in the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships (IIHF) in Germany.
Two very well respected former goaltenders, and fan favorites, Rob Zepp and David Leggio, as well as forward Laurent Meunier, are actively involved in the World games. Zepp is representing Germany; Leggio is playing for the United States; Meunier is playing for France.
The most recent Blades player of the trio is 25-year-old David Leggio, a native of Buffalo, New York. He played with the team during the 2008-09 season. He was a major player responsible for the Everblades winning their second ever Brabham Cup. Leggio posted a record of 27-7-3 with a 2.26 GAA (goals against average) and a .916 save percentage. Leggio spent the 2009-10 season playing with TPS Turk (FNL) in Finland. He posted a record of 12-13-3 with a 2.93 GAA.
Rob Zepp, who played with the Blades the longest – four successful seasons – is a native of Newmarket, Ontario. He has been drafted twice in the NHL (National Hockey League). In 1999 he was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 4th round (#99 overall); in 2001 he was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes, also in the 4th round, (#110 overall).
This 28-year-old was instrumental in getting the Blades to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2004 against the Idaho Steelheads (the Steelheads won the Kelly Cup that year). In 115 games with the Blades, Zepp compiled a record of 51-41-15, recorded five shutouts and posted a 2.89 GAA. Zepp spent time after the Blades with SaiPa Lappeenranta (FNL) and spent the last three seasons in Germany with the Berlin Polar Bears (GEL). In 2009-10 Zepp won 35 of his 50 starts and earned a 2.62 GAA.
Laurent Meunier played one season with the Blades in 2002-03. The 31-year-old is a native of Grenoble, France. During his season with the Blades he posted a record of 20 goals and 31 assists (68 games).
After leaving the Blades Meunier played for three seasons in Grenoble, France. His next four seasons were played in Switzerland (Swiss A and B) with: Servette Geneve, Lausanne and Fribourg-Gotteron. In 2009-10, he played with Timra IK (SEL) and posted a record of 4 goals and 13 assists (47 games).
The 2010 IIHF games began last week and continues through to the Gold Medal game on Sunday, May 23rd.
Contact the writer at: sweatherhead@prohockeynews.com
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