Florentino receives 2015-16 ECHL Community Service Award

PRINCETON, N.J. – Florida’s Rob Florentino has been selected as the recipient of the 2015-16 ECHL Community Service Award. Each ECHL team was given the opportunity to nominate a player for their efforts in community and charitable causes during the 2015-16 season. The nominations were voted on by League Office personnel. For the second straight season, Florentino served as the spokesman for Laces of Love, which is a local organization designed to collect shoes for children who are less fortunate. This year’s campaign resulted in nearly 500 new pairs of shoes being collected and raised an additional $400 to purchase additional shoes.In December, Florentino joined several Everblades’ teammates to deliver teddy bears to the patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. He took the lead in entering rooms and engaged in much of the conversation. Florentino went on to make several solo visits to the hospital as the season progressed.In January, the Everblades hosted a charity golf tournament and auction to raise funds for the For the Kids Foundation, a local organization designed to improve the quality of life and attitudes of children in long-term care at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Florentino donated several auction items, including a private hockey lesson and a private dinner party resulting in nearly $5,000 of the over $30,000 raised during the event.On April 2, Florentino had his long, flowing hair cut for the Wigs for Kids Cause. His hair was donated to help build a wig for a child battling cancer. In addition, a Go Fund Me page was set up ad within two days, $1,000 was donated. The money raised was enough to cover the cost of production of the wig.The other nominees for the 2015-16 ECHL Community Service Award were: Luke Curadi (Adirondack), Gary Steffes (Allen), Tyler Shiplo (Atlanta), Bryan Pitton (Brampton), Christiaan Minella (Cincinnati), Kris Lazaruk (Colorado), Mark Bennett (Elmira), Nathan Moon (Evansville), Mike Embach (Fort Wayne), Justin DaSilva (Greenville), Andrew Carroll (Idaho), Zach Miskovic (Indy), Ben Wilson (Kalamazoo), Matt MacKenzie (Manchester), Eric Neilson (Missouri), Jordan Hill (Norfolk), Eric Baier (Orlando), Kevin Gibson (Quad City), Brett Kostolansky (Rapid City), Adam Morrison (Reading), Marcus Perrier (South Carolina), Tyler Sikura (Toledo), Adam Pleskach (Tulsa), Mathieu Aubin and Cam Wojtala (Utah), Mathew Maione (Wheeling) and Dan Milan (Wichita).

ECHL Community Service Award Winners2015-16 Rob Florentino, Florida Everblades2014-15 Cal Wild, Brampton Beast2013-14 Dan Eves, Cincinnati Cyclones2012-13 Andy Brandt, Gwinnett Gladiators2011-12 Jason Fredricks, Ontario Reign2010-11 Chris Frank, Elmira Jackals Dustin Sproat, Cincinnati Cyclones