It was a summer of uncertainty for Brant Harris, but he finally has a place to call his hockey home.
After finishing up a stellar four-year career with the University of Connecticut Huskies, the Estevan native was in search of an NHL contract over the summer. He didn't find that, but he did land with an organization where there is a chance to work his way up the ladder.
Harris, 25, signed with the ECHL's Florida Everblades late last month.
"It was definitely a trying summer, not knowing exactly where I'd be. I heard nothing but good things about the Everblades organization," Harris said.
Florida's NHL affiliates are the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning, and their American Hockey League affiliates are the Charlotte Checkers and Syracuse Crunch.
Harris said there is a chance for him to move up in the organization eventually.
"My coach said, 'if you're patient, it'll most likely happen. If you stick to your game and not get frustrated, it'll happen.'
"All you can ask for is an opportunity and to make the most of it."
Harris said although he was aiming higher, he has no problems with starting out in the ECHL.
"I didn't think too much about where I wanted to play. It was out of my hands. Of course I would have liked to sign an NHL contract, but for the start of my pro career, this is fine. I worked hard to get onto the (Estevan) Bruins and the Huskies. I'm an underdog. Wherever I started, I was content with it."
Harris said he had some interest from other teams during the summer, but "nothing really materialized and I had to make a decision whether or not to keep holding out or sign with Florida. I signed with Florida instead of letting the uncertainty continue."
Harris will get a chance to show off his game quickly, playing in the team's top six forwards.
"The coach is putting me in a pretty good spot, on the first or second line and on the power play. I'm hoping to live up to the role he put me in. Whether or not that escalates further, I don't know, but I'm just trying to stick to my game."
At the end of his season with UConn last year, the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers signed Harris to a professional tryout. In eight games, he scored a goal and two assists. He said the experience "definitely" helped prepare him for pro hockey.
"After playing in college for four years, it's good to get thrown into pretty high-level hockey. I had all summer to remember and prepare for it so I can hit the ground running. It was definitely a good experience."
Although Florida is not known as a hockey hotbed, Harris said the Everblades have dedicated fans. The team is located in Estero, near Cape Coral.
"It's definitely pretty warm out here. Hockey's not generally as big compared to up north, but fan support around here is pretty crazy. It's (like) this area's NHL team. The fans are pretty excited for us and we're treated very well. The fans are pretty passionate."
