It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of long time Everblades Color Commentator Ken Schinkel at the age of 87. The Jansen, Saskatchewan native was an original member of the expansion Pittsburgh Penguins and was the first member of the Penguins to be selected for the NHL All-Star Game (1968 and 1969). Throughout his career, he played in 636 games in the NHL over 12 seasons until retiring as a player at 40 years of age. Ken coached the Penguins for four seasons and held several front-office positions with the organization, including assistant general manager and scouting director. Ken moved his family to Southwest Florida in 1997, a year before the Everblades' inaugural season.  

Honoring Ken’s memory, the Schinkel family has decided to establish a Foundation benefiting young hockey players in our community. Ken’s grandsons Troy and Riley were members of the Junior Everblades for years ending their Youth careers with the program in 2006 and 2014 respectively. As we are all aware, hockey is an expensive sport and for many families, it is difficult financially to fund the passion of their young players. Ken’s children, Kenny, Steve, and Karen ask the hockey community to assist with their efforts to establish this foundation to benefit youth hockey players through scholarships provided on an in-need basis. Donations in honor of a hockey fan in your family or in Mr. Schinkel’s name can be made via check to Junior Everblades Hockey Association c/o Ken Schinkel Scholarship Foundation, or directly on the Junior Everblades site via the link https://jreverblades.sportngin.com/register/form/662535904.  Donations may be sent via mail to 20301 Grande Oaks Blvd, Suite 118, PMB #74, Estero, FL 33928

Memorial Services for Ken will be held at Estero United Methodist Church, Estero FL at 12 noon EST on Friday, December 4, 2020.  The service will also be streamed at HTTP://vimeo.com/484465407.