August 5, 2010

Florida Retains Paquet

Photo by Erica Thum/Ithaca Journal Staff
Photo by Erica Thum/Ithaca Journal Staff
ESTERO, FL – Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush, a former Cornell standout, along with Head Coach Greg Poss announced today that former Clarkson defenseman Phil Paquet has signed a contract for the 2010-11 season.
 
Paquet becomes the third Everblade from last season’s squad to re-sign for the upcoming season. The 23-year-old joins defenseman Mitch McColm and his former collegiate teammate forward Shea Guthrie as players returning to Southwest Florida.
 
As a rookie in 2009-10, Paquet put together a solid season notching 15 points (2g, 13a) and 63 penalty minutes while posting a plus-10 rating in 53 regular season games. The Quebec City, PQ native also chipped in two assists in nine Kelly Cup Playoff games.
 
“Phil is a good sized two-way defenseman who showed offensive ability last year,” Poss said. “We definitely want him to build on that in his second pro season. We have high hopes that he’ll take the next step in reaching his full potential.”
 
A seventh round draft pick by the Montreal Canadiens in 2005, Paquet spent the last four seasons at the collegiate level at Clarkson. From 2005-09 the 6-foot-3, 185 pound d-man tallied 30 points (7g, 23a) and amassed 332 PIM in 127 games.

As a junior in 2007-08 Paquet helped lead the Golden Knights to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.