FLORIDA BORN
By STEVE LEE
Editor, Florida Hockey Life
S-
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al Hockey League player to be born and raised in Florida.
That tops Dallas Eakins, who was born — but did not grow up —
in the Sunshine State. Eakin was born in Pasco County’s
Dade City, but his family moved to Canada when
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ins, who spent 15 seasons in the NHL
playing for eight teams including
the Florida Panthers, another
Florida player is expected
to make it soon. Seventeen
year old Jack Hughes, a
Florida-born(Orlando)
center, is expected to be
a top pick in the 2019
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“Ghost” and Ghost
Bear” for falling asleep
at the Incredible Ice Rink
in Coral Springs not long
Felicia there at 4 a.m. She
skater whose career was de-
-
ry. He would catch a few winks in
a sleeping bag in the bleachers while
his sister, who is four years older, prac-
Aside from his father Regis, mother Chris-
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gan with the Coyotes in Coral Springs and then
suited up for the Junior Panthers. Although he
on the backline as a defenseman with the
Philadelphia Flyers.
Among his most avid supporters is a
former childhood teammate who is hard-
up the amateur and professional ladders.
Meghan Huertas was his teammate with
the Coyotes.
STEVE LEE, Editor
“He kind of paved
the way for kids down here and it’s awesome
to see,” said Huertas, who now
League. “I’m really happy for
him. He gives the kids down
here hope. It’s a big deal,
someone from down here
who made it all the way to
the show.”
Early on, it was apparent
to Huertas, who
is from Boynton Beach,
what it takes to the highest
level of play in the
world.
“From what I remember
you could tell he
had the drive,” Huertas recalled.
“He was a hard-working
kid. He loved the game,
you could tell.”
youth hockey players even now in
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play.”he has the ability to win most puck bat-
into the corners and comes out with the puck.”
Some of that inner drive stems from good French blood-
See SHAYNE, page 24