Photo Credit: Florida Everblades/ECHL
On Sunday December 1st, 2024, the Florida Everblades announced that Head Coach Brad Ralph earned his 500th coaching win.
Before turning into a coach, Ralph was a player that played in the AHL. He was drafted in 1992 NHL Entry Draft in Round 2, 53rd overall by the Phoenix Coyotes. In the 2000-2001 season, He dressed in one game for the Phoenix Coyotes. Ralph played a majority of that season with the Springfield Falcons and dressed in 50 games with five goals and 13 assists. In the 2001-2002 season, Ralph played 16 games with the Mississippi Seawolves of the ECHL at the time. He netted two goals and three assists. He started the 2002-2003 season in the AHL with Springfield and dressed in 16 games with two goals and five assists. Ralph then spent the majority of that season in the ECHL with the Augusta Lynx and dressed in a total of 44 games. He tallied 11 goals and 15 assists.
In the 2004-2005 season, Ralph signed with Dayton Bombers of the ECHL and played in 13 games for them. While with the Bombers, Ralph tallied five goals and four assists. During that season, Ralph decided to sign with the Italy team Alleghe and head overseas. He played in 21 games for Alleghe and notched an even nine goals and assists during his time there. After coming back in the 2004-2005 season, Ralph played the next 3 seasons with the Columbia Inferno. He dressed in 194 games with the Inferno and netted 65 goals and 90 assists. In the 2006-2007 season, Ralph earned a call-up to the Hershey Bears but did not play in any games. In Ralph’s final season, 2008-2009, He played with the AHL team Charlotte Checkers. He dressed in 28 games and tallied 13 goals and 15 assists. During the 2005-2006 season, Ralph went overseas again to play in Denmark for AaB Ishockey. He dressed in 35 games and tallied eight goals with 13 goals.
After his playing career, Ralph has a lengthy Coaching resume. He served two seasons in the Southern Professional Hockey League as Head Coach of the Augusta Riverhawks. From 2012-2014, Ralph moved into the ECHL where he served as Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations with the Idaho Steelheads. Ralph took a step into the WHL for one season and served as Head Coach for the Kelowna Rockets in the 2015-2016 season. For the last nine seasons, Ralph has served as Head Coach and Director Of Hockey Operations for the Florida Everblades. Ralph earned the honors of Coach of the Year during the 2017-2018 season. During this current tenure, He has earned his 500th coaching win, and has led the Everblades to 3 consecutive Kelly Cup Championships.
