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Florida Eels are excited to take the ice tomorrow afternoon, as they take on the Bold City Battalion, in a make-up game. The Eels and Battalion last faced off in late October, when the game was called short. The game will start at 12:30pm at the Fort Myers Skatium, in the middle of the first period.

The Florida Eels and Battalion not only battle for the game win but the title of second place in the Florida Division. The Bold City Battalion currently hold the second-place spot with 20 games played with 32 points. The Eels are right behind them, in the third-place spot with 20 games played with 29 points. A win for the Eels would close the gap held by the Battalion before both team’s head to the USPHL Estero College Showcase this weekend (December 20^th-22^nd). Who will win tomorrows match up? Join us live at the Fort Myers Skatium or live on FloHockey!

 

Florida Eels are preparing for two major college showcases:  the USPHL Estero Florida College Showcase, December 20^th-22^nd and the USPHL Tampa Showcase, January 3-5^th 2025 where players will have a prime opportunity to be seen and scouted by the some of the top college programs, and coaches across North America. It is no secret that the Florida Eels have made their presence known in the NCAA, ACHA, AAU and Canadian Collegiate Divisions, as 365 Eels Alumni have advanced to the collegiate level. This year Eels players prepare to showcase their talents in front of top college programs, and face off against teams such as: the Charlotte Rush, the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, the Northern Cyclones, the Potomac Patriots, at the Estero Showcase; and the Red River Spartans (Nashville) the Metro Jets, the Toledo Cherokee, and the Minnesota Squatch during the College Showcase in Tampa.

The Florida Eels continue to engage in their rigorous daily training, that began in Mid-August, in preparation for the schedule ahead. Eels coaching staff scour hours of game footage, and plays to help players gain an additional advantage when they hit the ice on Friday, December 20^th. Coaching staff, continue to press the Eels motto, “one game, one period, one shift at a time.” It is a motto that has worked, for many years, and many Eels Alumni to help them reach their goals of advancing not only through the regular season, but through the USPHL Florida Divisional Playoffs, through Nationals and onto the Collegiate realm.

Eels Alumni can be found far and wide across North America, as players from the Eels have infiltrated the market. With a yearly average of 15 players advancing to the collegiate level, it is quite often you will see Eels Alumni tearing up the ice at the College level. With past generations such as Ayodele Adeniye (2015-2016) showcasing at Adrian College, Crossley Stewart (2020-2021) showcasing at Rochester Institute of Technology, to more recent alumni Gage Dill (2018-2022) showcasing at Curry College gaining recognition of Rookie of the Year, Damon Kiyawasew (2021-2022) showcasing at Rivier University gaining recognition of Rookie of the Year or Collin Patterson (2020-2023) showcasing at UMass Dartmouth also gaining recognition of Rookie of the Year. However, the Eels list of former top scorers, captains or assistant captains marks on the collegiate level don’t end there: Former Eels Captain Taurin Haddon-Harris (2021-2022) additionally makes a splash at Curry College. Eels goal scorer, Noah Trathen (2021-2024) lands at UMass Dartmouth, along with Eels former Assistant Captain and Defenseman Brayden Goddard (2022-2024). Eels former Assistant Captain Jared Salminen (2022-2024) finds a home along with Eels defensive marksman, Mark Phillips (2021-2024) at Rivier University. Former Eels Captain Easton Moore (2019-2023) lands a leading role at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Whereas, former Eels Assistant Captain and play maker Devin Shepherd (2021-2024), makes his way to the New England area landing a leading spot at Framingham State University.  Eels Power forward Liam Hennessy (2022-2023), joins Bethel University for the 2024-2025 season after staring a season at Rivier University.  Liam a pro type player continues to impress college and pro scouts with his dominate play both in junior and NCAA play. Eels Holden Beckett (2023-2024), splashes into Post University for the 2024-2025 season. Eels goaltending backbone Duncan Rolleman (2021-2023), holds the pipes at Wilkes University. Eels former Captain Maverick Crupi (2021-2024) leads the way at University of Pittsburgh (ACHA) for the 2024. However, the Eels don’t just dominate the American Collegiate Hockey Arena but are making waves in Canada as well as Eels former star goaltender Tresor Wotton (2023-2024) plays for Portage College (ACAC) and former Eels defensemen Dario Zitko, dominates at University of Victoria (BCIHL). The Eels Alumni continue to make waves, and raise eyebrows as they earn top awards for their play and performances in each of their conferences.

What does this have to do with the current Eels you may ask? Well, the formula is the same! Player development and college advancement is always on the minds of all coaches, staff and Eels players. It is the very fiber and fabric that make the Eels unique! Players from day one, whether they start on Premier or Elite undergo the same advanced training techniques further developing their individual and team skills. Current players like Alex Cochran, Teddy Feng, Yiorgos Bikakis, Reid Wilson, Dominic Doyle, even this year’s Captain Anthony Zebley all at one point started out as part of the Eels Elite program. Allowing them to hone, develop and advance their individual player and team skills, and now dominate in the Premier Division. It is often a joke among the Eels, “Once an Eel, always an Eel,” and that is because once you are part of the Eels family that legacy and family continue. Players from years past continue to come back, work with and help teach the player culture, skill and mindset of the organization. To be an Eel is not only to embody the player ability but the character as well. Former players, continue to help coaching staff, or have returned as coaching staff (Scarpaci, Gennello, Miller, Carlson, Sanchez, and Colatarci to name a few) to help further player skill, and knowledge they have gained. This seasons’ group of players continue to put in the work, the dedication and the show the ability to continue all the way. Like the Eels that preceded them, the Eels of the 2024-2025 season, look forward to being able to showcase their talents at the upcoming USPHL Estero Florida College Showcase providing yet another opportunity to be in the direct spotlight for top coaches to see them in action. We look forward to two action packed weekends of hockey. Join us live at Hertz Arena December 20^th-22^nd to watch the Eels or January 3^rd -5^th at Adventhealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, Florida.  Can’t join us live, be sure to join us on FloHockey where you can catch all the game time action.

 

Florida Eels Premier Spotlight 2004 Forward, Robin Kuusik. Kuusik, joins this Eels this season, and battled a debilitating knee injury before the start of the season. Kuusik, worked tirelessly along side his teammates, so he would be ready to take the ice before the winter break. Kussik joined the Eels for the past two games, and was an esssentail play maker and goal scorer, capturing two of the Eels six goals against the Palm Beach Typhoon! Great job Robin!

Florida Eels Spotlight 2008 Rookie Forward, Paxton Campbell. Campbell joins the Eels for his Rookie season after playing for the Florida Warriors Youth Program. Campbell has been an essential force for the Elite team, playing in 21 games, scoring 11 goals, 11 assits, with a total of 22 points. Paxton, was an key player in the Eels 4-3 win over the the Palm Beach Typhoon scoring 2 of the Eels 4 goals. Way to go Paxton!

The Florida Eels Elite fired up and ready to claim a win, to tie the first seed spot against the Tampa Bay Juniors entered the ice on Thursday, afternoon to take on the Florida Jr. Blades. However, they feel short as Florida Jr. Blades Elite claim a 6-3 victory in Thursday, November 21^st match up against the Florida Eels Elite. Although the Eels did not meet their goal of closing the point differential with the Tampa Bay Juniors, who currently have 27 points to the Eels 25, with a win today-hope is not lost!

With Ethan Rotante staring his eight game between the pipes, the Eels lined up to face off at 1:45 pm. At 5:16 in the first the Florida Jr. Blades claimed their first point of the game. At 6:36, it was Florida Eels Lorik Tremblay assisted by Tyson Gagnon, who claimed his first goal of the game and goal for the Eels-tying up the game 1-1. At 7:47 in the first it was Jackson Carnes, assisted by Zayn Haddon-Harris and Filip Nyberg, that propelled  the Eels into a 2-1 lead over the Jr. Blades. However, at 16:13 and 17:12 the Jr. Blades secured two more goals in their favor, closing the first period with a 3-2 lead over the Florida Eels.

The Florida Eels, fighting back tied the game 3-3 at 2:16 in the second when Lorik Tremblay assisted by Stepan Kuznets, secured his second goal of the game. The Eels continued to fight for another opportunity to find the back of the net but were sadly unable too. At 15:05 in the second, the Jr. Blades again captured the lead and closed the period 4-3.

The Eels came out, with hopes of regaining control of the game, and scoring points in their favor during the third period. However, the Florida Jr. Blades, pushed the goal differential by two when they scored another goal at 4:45 in the third. Even though the Eels continued to try to find opportunities to reach the back of the net throughout the third period, it was the Jr. Blades who solidified a 6-3, when they scored their final goal at 18:58 in the third. Thus, the Florida Jr. Blades, claiming a 6-3 victory over the Florida Eels Elite.

However, hope of the first-place seed title is not lost for the Florida Eels Elite. The Florida Eels Elite, will need to shake of today’s loss against the Florida Jr. Blades, as they have a quick turn around with another game tomorrow, Friday, November 22^nd in Tampa as they showdown for the first place slot in the Florida Division. A win against the current first place seed, the Tampa Bay Juniors, in tomorrow’s match up would slide the Eels into a co-hold of the first-place seed in the Florida Division. The Florida Eels are known for their tremendous grit and ability to come back and show up when it counts and the Eels are determined to slide into the first place slot to have co-hold the first place seen along with the Tampa Bay Juniors.

The Eels will head home for some rest and recovery before game day preparations tomorrow. Coaches will go back to the drawing board, and new action plans will be drawn ahead of tomorrow’s game time action. The Eels will double down on their efforts in preparation for tomorrow’s showdown match up against the Tampa Bay Juniors. Join the Florida Eels live at the Advent Health Center Ice Arena in Wesley Chapel for tomorrow’s 7:00pm puck drop or watch live on FloHockey. Let’s Go Eels!

Written by Nikki Scarpaci-Fliss

The Florida Eels Premier and Elite will face off against the Tampa Bay Juniors on Friday, November 22^nd in Wesley Chapel at the Advent Health Center Ice, to battle for the first-place seed in the Florida Division. Just like every season the battle for first among these two clubs, continues to be a fight till the end, and this season proves no different. It is the ultimate mid-season old fashion showdown between these two clubs and anyone could come out on top! Who will it be?

In the Premier Division, it is a showdown between the Florida Eels and the Tampa Bay Juniors for the first place seed. As luck would have it these two clubs will face off this week, at 5:00 pm to see who will claim the title of first place. The Florida Eels Premier sit tied with the Tampa Bay Juniors for the first-place seed with a current 26 points, with 18 games played, 12 Wins, 4 losses, 1 overtime loss, and 1 shootout loss. The Tampa Bay Juniors also sit currently with 26 points: 15 games played, 13 wins, 2 losses, and 3 shoot out wins. Who will take Friday’s victory, earning an additional two points to claim the top spot before Thanksgiving Break? Our bet is on the Florida Eels of course. The Eels continue to prove themselves time and time again. With major recent games won against teams like the Fort Wayne Spacemen and MJDP, the Eels have shown that they are more than capable of holding the first-place seed title. Tune in to see them pull it off.

In the Elite Division, the Florida Eels and the Tampa Bay Juniors are battling to hold the first-place seed. The Tampa Bay Juniors currently hold the first-place seed with 27 points: 15 games played, 13 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie. The Florida Eels Elite, are sitting right behind them in a close second with 25 points, with 18 games played, 12 games won, 5 games lost, and 1 game tied. The Eels will have an opportunity to tie the Tampa Bay Juniors on two occasions this week: the first on Thursday, when the face the Florida Jr. Blades. If the Eels win this game, they will go into Friday’s game as co-seed first place title holders with the Juniors. This would allow them to take a solo spot as the first place seed title with a win against the Tampa Bay Juniors on Friday. Will the Eels advance to a solo spot as the number one seed or co-hold  the position? The Tampa Bay Juniors are hoping to gain another victory, furthering their point lead and lead on first; whereas, the Eels are hoping to gain a victory against the Florida Jr. Blades and the the Tampa Bay Juniors to hold the solo spot. Will the Juniors hold the tile, will they have to share the spotlight with the Eels, or will the Eels take the tile solo? Our bet is the Eels will hold the first seed title after their double header. The Eels continue to show up and have stellar games, and this should be no different. Tune in and watch the Eels this Thursday and Friday, as they inch their way to the top.

Eels fans are prepared and ready to cheer loudly, hoping to bring home the first place title over the break. Will the boys pull it off? They have been preparing tirelessly all week with countless drills, video hours, gym and off-ice work. In the end it will come down to grit and power, and the Eels are ready. Join us at the Advent Health Center Ice, to cheer on the Florida Eels for the las time before their Thanksgiving break, or stream live and cheer from the comforts of your own home on FloHockey. Let’s bring the noise! Let’s Go Eels!

Date: November 22nd

Teams: The Florida Eels vs. Tampa Bay Juniors

Location: Advent Health Center Ice (Wesley Chapel)

Time: 5:00pm Premier & 7:00pm Elite

Written by Nikki Scarpaci Fliss

It is surely a funny concept. Every season starting in April, GM Scarpaci and his cadre’ of 6 coaches head on recruiting missions across the USA Canada Europe and most recently Asia. We scout literally 1,000’s of players , host 12 teams between the post season Chowder Cup teams, tryouts of upwards of 400 players from its various tryouts and Spring and Summer Showcase teams all in search for players for its upcoming season.

Our schedule will show ½ dozen games against cross town rivals the Florida Jr. Blades, our West Coast foes the Tampa BayJuniors , the  Atlanta Mad Hatters our East Coast rivals the Palm Beach Typhoon, in addition to 2-3 games verus top competitors like the the Charlotte Rush, the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, and the Potomac Patriots. We will have games against the Metro Jets, the Toledo Cherokee, the Islanders Hockey Club, the Norther Cyclones, the Jersey Hitmen, the Rockets Hockey Club and several others. One can ask who are the Eels biggest Challenge?

Well to be honest with you they all are formable foes. All indeed very competitive year in and year out. Some a bit stronger depending on the year. After all it is Junior Hockey.  From an Eels coaching and management perspective we know that the stronger our opponents, are the better we will be during playoff time and advancement to Nationals. You always should remember that in the end regular season games are in fact “training games” for the playoffs and Nationals.

The Eels hallmark is our training and prepartation. The Eels are indeed intense. We have one key ingredient: Work! We undergo 4 weeks of pre-season training that includes 6+ hours per day, 7 days per week, Then during the regular season we train 4 – 5 hours per day including: gym, video training, dry land shooting and ice. In addition to our regular division games, we attend 4 showcases.

However, each year no matter how hard we train, how hard we work, we face a far stronger and more rigorous opponent than any team we face on a weekly basis. That foe is the annual Hurricane. To many they look at it as “strong and forceful storm”.  Indeed it has  “Power” that  includes wins well over 100 MPH. and storm surges with impactful flooding. To many, including the best meteorologist, think that the Hurricanes forces pass through and then dissipate. But this is a fallacy. In fact, the Eels, who have battled and taken on the likes of Hurricane Ian, Hurrican Hellene and Hurricane Milton over the past several years, harnessed the forces, power and storm strength into the very fabric and DNA of each and every player in the Eels organization.  This strength emirates from, our resolve, intestinal fortitude, determination and will to prepare, endure, experience and community volunteerism.

The Hurricane experience builds character far beyond hockey. It builds appreciation and community responsibility that is impossible to explain unless you are here. It shows our young men this is life and bigger than ice Hockey.

Well just look at the proof in the proverbial pudding. The Eels have won the playoffs 10 years; The Eels have advanced to Nationals 10 years, the Eels have made it to the semi-finals and finals more than any other program. Well folks we do attribute our systematic and continuous accomplishments to our unique training program: 5 hours per day 5 days per week. This backed by our very talented and dedicated coaching staff, allows us to set ourselves apart from others.

However, there are certain intangibles that tip us over the edge. Things that help us dig deep, and find a determination and grit like no other. We harness the POWER  from these hurricane winds, the fortitude, resolve commitment and dedication. Our boys learned to channel, to propel these ingredients to their year-end mission and goals. So when someone ask who are the Eels number one rivalry is, you can easily say the Hurricanes. But just like our other rivalries, we take them on and we win!

Written by Florida Eels GM: Frank Scarpaci

 

Premier

Florida Eels Spotlight Forward, Xavier Charron. Charron joins the Eels this year, and has been quite the power forward. Charron has stared in 19 games, has had five goals, eleven assists and sixteen total points so far this season. Xavier has demonstrated his tremendous play making skills single handily gain at least a point a game. Congratulations, Xavier!

 

Elite

Florida Eels Spotlight Elite Forward, William “Billy” Torrone. Torrone in his first season for the Eels, has stared in 13 games, and scored his first two goals of the season in Sunday’s match up against the Florida Jr. Blades. Congratulations, Billy!

Florida Eels Premier faced off against the Florida Jr. Blades, on Sunday afternoon at 12:30pm. After securing a 5-1 victory over the Palm Beah Typhoon on Friday, the Eels returned home for their first home game since last month. Fort Myers Skatium stands full of Eels fans, the Eels players were ready to bring home another win, this time on home ice. With Noah Van Herik in net, the Eels lined up ready to face off against the Florida Jr. Blades.

With the fans in the stands making the noise, the Eels had fire in their blood. The boys ready to gain another win, and were fired up. With back-and-forth action, the Eels worked continually to gain the first point of the game. At 12:41, Mitchell Wilson assisted by Xavier Charron scored the first point of the game. At 16:57, Xavier Charron assisted by Seth Morris grabbed the Eels second goal of the game. At the end of the first period, the Eels led 2-0 over the Florida Jr. Blades.

Eels energized from the first period, came with the energy to the ice. The Eels worked hard to gain an additional point. At 8:29 in the second period, the Florida Jr. Blades, scored a rebound goal, cutting the Eels lead in half, 2-1. However, at 9:09 in the second the Eels, Anthony Zebley assisted by Kenny Granaker and Alex Cochran find a quick response claiming the Eels third goal of the game. At midway through regulation the Eels now led 3-1 over the Florida Jr. Blades. After a bit of action behind the net, the Eels fended off a five-minute major. At 18:01, Seth Morris assisted by Alex Cochran and Xavier Charron grabbed goal four for the Eels. However, the Florida Jr. Blades, had a quick response at 18:58 scoring their second goal of the game, again cutting the Eels lead by half. At the end of the second period, the Eels led 4-2.

With a 4-2 lead over the Florida Jr. Blades, the Eels hit the ice ready to work. They knew the mission ahead and knew they had to come out strong. The boys rallied, and the fans cheered, another goal on the minds of everyone in the rink. Would it be for the Eels, or would it be in favor of the Blades closing the gap? Each team trying to gain a point, the Eels to further their lead, the Blades to cut the Eels goal lead. However, after 20 minutes in the third period, the third period remained scoreless. The boys had worked, and it was time to claim their victory! The Florida Eels claim a 4-2 WIN over the Florida Jr. Blades.

The Florida Eels Premier will head to Tampa, to take on the Tampa Bay Juniors on Friday, November 22^nd. The Premier will face off at 5:00 pm at the Advent Health Center in Wesley Chapel. Join the Eels for their last game before the Thanksgiving break, in Tampa or watch live on FloHockey.

Written by Nikki Scarpaci-Fliss

 

 

 

Florida Eels Elite faced off against cross town rivals Florida Jr. Blades, Sunday morning at 9:30am, and it was a good ole barn burn as they claimed a 7-5 victory. The Eels returned back from Palm Beach where they claimed 5-2 victory over Palm Beach Typhoon. The Eels came out fired up in front of the home crowd. The noise was brought, and fire was lit. With Ethan Rotante between the pipes, the Eels lined up and were ready for puck drop!

At 9:11 in the first period, Billy Torrone assisted by Zayn Haddon-Harris, grabbed his first goal of the season, and the first point for the Eels. At 14:19, the Florida Jr. Blades tied up the game. However, at 14:42 Lorik Tremblay assisted by Tyson Gagnon and Stepan Kuznets scored his first goal of the game, and the second goal for the Eels. At the close of the first period, the Eels lead 2-1 over the Jr. Blades.

The Eels were bubbling with energy when they hit the ice during the second period, and at :402 Lorik Trembly assisted by Nikita Schevyev and Tyson Gagnon scored his second goal of the game and the Eels third. At 9:28, the Florida Jr. Blades, scored their second goal, closing the gap by one. At 13:30 in the second period, Brantlee Hofffman assisted by Asher Hamlin and Paxton Campbell claimed the Eels fourth goal. The Jr. Blades scored their third goal at 14:47 in the second period. However, at 15:37, the Eels Zayn Haddon-Harris assisted by Jackson Carnes and Filip Nyberg grabbed the Eels fifth goal. At 17:47, the Jr. Blades, scored their fourth goal of the game. At the close of the second the Eels held a 5-4 lead over the Florida Jr. Blades.

The Eels, determined to push the lead came out with a fire in their blood. At 4:08 Billy Torrone assisted by Ty Elzinga and Colin McMahon, grabbed his second goal of the game-the Eels sixth goal of the game. At 8:33, the Florida Jr. Blades scored their fifth goal of the game. The Eels solitified their win, at 19:30 when Stepan Kuznets assisted Ty Elzinga and Lorik Tremblay with the Eels seventh and final goal of the game.

The battle between the Florida Jr. Blades was a strong back and forth game. In the end, the Eels pulled a 7-5 victory. The Eels will face off against the Florida Jr. Blades this Thursday, November 21^st at 1:45pm at Hertz Arena. Will the Eels pull another win against the Blades, join us at Hertz or stream the game live on FloHockey.

Written by Nikki Scarpaci-Fliss