ABSOLUTELY A PHENOMENAL WEEKEND IN MASSACHUSETTS AT THE PRO-AM PRE-DRAFT SHOWCASE AND THE USPHL SHOWCASE.
The Eels went to Boston with 3 Eels teams to compete in the USPHL Showcase and the Pro-Am NHL Pre Draft. The Eels had in fact 36 prospects who were joined by 15 veteran players. The Eels coaches got a first-hand view at the new prospects and got to to know them on a personal basis from practices, pre showcase scrimmages, meetings, and showcase games in evaluating talent and skill set. The Eels conducted multiple practices with the three teams on Thursday and held scrimmage games vs. two Canadian teams and a scrimmage game against the top Swedish team.
The Eels teams at the Pre-Draft had been elevated to the top Division in the Showcase – the Jr. A Division which is made up primarily of regular season teams, players from first year college rosters form NCAA Div. 1 and 3 and top ACHA Div. 1 teams, players from the BCHL USHL Major Juniors in Canada such as the OHL QMJHL WHL. NCDC NAHL OJHL and many other top Tier II Canadian Teams. Yes, this was indeed a huge undertaking and our guys for being together for the first time did very well. Defeating Apple Core 5-3, one loss 2-1 and another 3-1. But we don’t judge success on the scoreboard. It is the experience garnered and the exposure.
The players also got to play against one of the top teams from Europe.
At the USPHL one team played at the Premier level and there too with many prospects our guys got the experience of playing in front of many top junior and college scouts. The boys competed very well, and we got to see the opportunities these prospects offer us. We are indeed excited. Moreover, our youngest of teams the Elite guys did very well getting better and better as the weekend matured and ultimately winning the entire division.
The Eels coaches were quite pleased not only with our prospects but veteran players. This is only May and we are looking very good. In fact, many of our players are coming back to Florida for the Spring and Summer training. Having our guys return in May and June we will be so much ahead of the curve.
GM Scarpaci spent many hours with the two top teams from Europe: The Future Stars form Sweden.We all know his relationship with the European players. It was great to have Alex Sanchez and coach Frankie Scarpaci join with GM Scarpaci in coaching these players at several practice sessions, during scrimmage games and in actual showcase games. This was a huge feather in our recruiting process. We expect to have several of these players join us next season. Indeed they are impact players.
Similarly, the Eels coaches got to spend considerable time with our new Midget Affiliate: Somang Hockey from Montreal. The recruiting process with them went very well and like the Swedish teams, we expect to have several players from Somang join our program this season
Overall it was a phenomenal weekend. Great job to our players and coaches. I want to thank all of the prospects who came out in tryouts for the Eels. I want to thank our veteran players and parents who were great ambassadors to the Eels program.
