Lots of news and trades (3/7/25 News and Notes)

Lots of news unwrapping around the FPHL, especially with the Trade Deadline coming up on Monday.

Dashers mutually part ways with Esau, Hire Maclean

Stephen Esau behind the bench as Dashers Head Coach. (Photo by Jennifer Dilbeck)

After a couple months as Head Coach of the Dashers. Stephen Esau is OUT as head coach of the Dashers. Esau replaced AJ Tesoriero on January 7th, and in his two months as Head Coach, the Dashers went 0-17-0.

The team replaced Esau with league veteran Paul MacLean. Who last coached a few weeks in Baton Rouge last year. And has Head Coaching experience in Watertown and Delaware.

Athens and Blue Ridge make swap

Timur Gavrilovich (Photo courtesy of the Blue Ridge Bobcats)

A decent sized trade between Continental Division rivals. Big forward Brandon Reller goes to Blue Ridge, while steady dman Timur Gavrilovich goes back to Athens.

Gavrilovich gives the Rock Lobsters some depth on the back end, especially with the recent injury to Michael Greco. The 6’6 dman has six games of SPHL experience this year, and in 28 games with the Bobcats, he has eight assists.

As for Reller, the former Spokane Chief has seven goals in 29 games, and will instantly go towards the middle of the lineup for Vojtech Zemlicka.

Two very skilled players who could very well be in the SPHL.

Motor City acquires Hall from Blue Ridge

That was not the only move that the Bobcats made. Sending team Player-Assistant Coach Hunter Hall to the Rockers.

Hall had been with the Bobcats since Day One. In 60 games across two seasons in Wytheville, Hall accumulated 12 goals and 21 assists. He will give Motor City more depth, and size down the stretch.

The Bobcats also activated Michael Mercurio back from his run in the SPHL.

Xavier Abdella returns to Danbury from injury

Danbury defenseman Xavier Abdella will be back in the lineup tonight after missing 4 months due to injury.

One of the league’s best shutdown defensemen returns to a Danbury team that is clicking on all cylinders.

Monroe signs Nick Favarro

The Moccasins continue their push for the playoffs as they get Nicholas Favarro from the SPHL’s Macon Mayhem. Five goals in 32 games for Macon. He also played 21 games in the ECHL last year with two teams.

There’s definitely going to be a lot more big moves as the trade deadline comes along on Monday.