As the two-time defending Kelly Cup champions, the Florida Everblades are used to making waves in the ECHL. But it was more like shockwaves reverberating through the league when the team announced Wednesday it had signed former NHL first-round pick Joshua Ho-Sang to a contract.

In addition to signing with the Everblades, Ho-Sang dropped his debut hip-hop album Wednesday called “Same.”

So it’s been an eventful 24 hours for the one-time blue-chip prospect.

Ho-Sang had not been playing anywhere this season after appearing in just five total games with the KHL’s Salavat Yulaev Ufa in 2022-23. The mercurial forward has had a unique career in the game, but it appears he’s entering in a new chapter late this season.

Selected 28th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2014 NHL Draft, Ho-Sang was a bit of a lightning rod for criticism. However, he was undeniably skilled with the puck on his stick. 

He played parts of five seasons in the AHL, four with Islanders affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers and also had stints with the San Antonio Rampage and Toronto Marlies. Mixed in there was also a brief run in Sweden’s top professional league. He also was part of Canada’s 2022 Olympic men’s hockey team where he appeared in five games, recording three assists.

Spread out over three seasons, Ho-Sang did appear in 53 NHL games with the Islanders, producing 24 points.

He has never played in the ECHL previously.

The Everblades are currently third in the ECHL’s South Division, just three points out of second place and five points ahead of fifth place. The top four teams in each division make the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Florida is looking to become the first-ever three-peat champion in ECHL history.

Goal scoring has certainly been an issue for Florida this season as they sit in the back half of the league when it comes to goals-for. How much Ho-Sang will be able to help is unclear until he gets his legs back under him. It is also not clear yet when he'll actually debut for the team in game action.

The 28-year-old last played a game on March 9, 2023 in the KHL playoffs. The season before, playing in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, Ho-Sang scored 16 goals and recorded 35 points in 47 games. He’s always been a wizard when it comes to puck skills, but it’s been some time since he was a top-level contributor on a team.

It’s a worthwhile gamble for the defending champs and a good opportunity for Ho-Sang if he wants to try to get his career back going again.