Hickey, Crossley joins Everblades

ESTERO, Fla. - Florida Everblades General Manager Craig Brush, along with Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach Brad Ralph announced that they have agreed to terms with defensemen Brandon Hickey and Austin Crossley for the 2022-23 season.

Hickey, 26, joins the Everblades after four seasons in the American Hockey League. Drafted 64th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Hickey joined the Rochester Americans for the 2018-19 season and in 61 games with Rochester over two seasons, he tallied 11 points (2g-9a). In the 2020-21 campaign, Hickey played 15 contests for the Chicago Wolves, finishing with two points (1g-1a). With the Henderson Silver Knights and the Abbotsford Canucks for the 2021-22 season, Hickey collectively tallied four points (1g-3a) in 28 games playing for the two organizations.

Before turning professional, the Leduc, Alberta native spent four seasons playing collegiately at Boston University. After helping BU to the 2015 NCAA championship game, Hickey served as an alternate captain for the final two months of the 2016-17 season and was the team captain for the 2017-18 campaign. In three of his four collegiate seasons, he ranked in the top two among the Terriers in blocked shots. Hickey led Hockey East in blocked shots with 49, as a freshman, during the 2014-15 season. Hickey accumulated 54 points (21g-33a) and 132 penalty minutes in 147 total games with the Terriers.

Crossley, 23, joins the Everblades after playing for the Utah Grizzlies in the 2021-22 season where he tallied seven points (1g-6a) in 42 regular-season games. In the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs, Crossley finished with one assist in 13 games. 

Before his pro career, the Fort St. John, British Columbia native played four seasons in the Western Hockey League, suiting up for the Prince Albert Raiders and the Prince George Cougars throughout those four seasons. Collectively, he tallied 21 points (8g-13a) in 159 games. Crossley joined the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League for the 2019-20 season and then to Sweden with Olofstroms IKfor the 2020-21 season. He registered eight points (2g-6a) in 39 games with the Force.