After backstopping his team on a strong run for the University Cup, one of the key players of this year's University of Manitoba's Bisons hockey team is getting his first shot at the professional game.

On Wednesday, the Bisons announced that goaltender Jesse Deckert has signed with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. He is expected to be in the line-up tonight when the team begins a four-game road-trip in Cincinatti.

With the Everblades, 26-year-old Deckert will have the chance to play alongside prospects for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes. Winnipeg Jet blueliner Mark Stuart also took a short stint with the Everblades during the NHL lockout.

Deckert wrapped up his four-year Bison career with his best CIS season. He finished the season with the fourth-best goals-against average in Canada West at 2.19, was second in conference wins with 16 and fourth in conference save percentage, at .915.