Folks it is important that you keep the following dates in mind when making your travel plans.

The Eels will be playing at the Pre Christmas USPHL Showcase in Estero Florida. The games run from December 15th-18th.  The players are free to go home on the 19th of December. 

The Boys must return on or before December 31st. 

 

 

We have a Showcase in Tampa Florida Jan 3rd -5th 

We will have practice Jan 1st.  All players (No exceptions)  must be here and present for an early morning practice Jan 1st.  We leave on Jan 2nd for games on Jan 3rd  The boys will have been away from practices for 13 days so we need this time to re-group and be ready for the upcoming games.

These showcases will be attended by many college coaches. The exposure is incredible and we want to make sure all players get the opportunity to garner as much visibility and exposure as possible. Moreover, these games are all part of our regular season so it is imperative that practice  so we can do well. That is why we need 100% cooperation in being here for practice on Jan 1st

If you have any questions please call

Thank You

Frank Scarpaci

Florida Eels GM

941-400-9023

 

The Florida Eels Premier and Elite Teams Bring Home Two Solid Wins Over Tampa Rivals in Sunday Games.

On Sunday both Eels squads had fire in their bellies after their losses to Tampa on Friday evening. The guys knew full well they were much better than the results of their away games up in Tampa. In fact, for the Premier guys, they outshot Tampa 2-1 delivering over 48 shots but were stymied and settling for one point with SO. The Elite team fell harder on Friday with a stinging loss 5-3.

However, the Elite team refocused and got back on track. The Eels Elite team looked like themselves on Sunday, a determined forecheck denying back check and clean hard hitting in all 3 zones. They kept the game low scoring and at the end of regulation the score was 2-2. The same was true at the end of 3 on 3 OT In the shoot-out the Eels were victorious and celebrated their win.

Shortly thereafter, the Eels Premier team took the ice looking to avenge their OT loss of Friday and that is what they did. They looked like a team possessed. They unleashed 37 shots on net and put 8 behind their net minder and only allowed 2. The ice surface was tilted on one direction the entire game Aside from the Tampa Juniors scoring 1^st in the 1^st minute of play, the Eels were simply too overpowering in this game. The Eels knew full well that Friday’s game was a hiccup with the SO loss and this game proved wear the barometer really fell.

Both Eels teams remain in 1^st place in the Florida Division and head to Atlanta for their 3 game series.

USPHL Premier 2023-24 South Region Players Of The Week

October 26, 2023

Friday night was anything but “Lights” for both the Eels Elite and Premier squads.  The Elite had gone 4 straight games without a loss and won 5 of 6 whereas the Premier was on a tear with 5 straight impressive wins including a 5-0 shutout of the Tampa Juniors. But last night was not their day. The Premier team outshot the Juniors 48-35 but the solid play of the Juniors goalie kept his team in it. The Eels did manage to tie it up and force it into OT  and the teams remained deadlock and its went into a shootout.  But  there again the Eels shooters came up dry and they loss in the shootout. Our scoring touch was simply not there tonight says GM Scarpaci. No doubt  this was a frustrating loss. We were right there. We needed a luck bounce but it was not there. We make no excuses. We are and will be better ….trust me echoed Coach Scarpaci

On  the Elite team, they also outshot the Juniors 35 -31 but in  the end we were were outgunned 5-3.  Look at the margin. We needed to put a couple behind their goalie and stop at least one  more to bring it into OT. “We offer no excuses here. This was not up to our standards…” comments Head Coach Hill. GM Scarpaci says “the boys need to be accountable. Tampa is a very good team and we wont see any easy wins here….” We did manage to pull the goalie to add another attacker and we had the power play but Tampa seized that opportunity of an empty net and scored making it 5-3.

The Eels will be looking to avenge its losses on Sunday and the two organizations complete the home and away series of the weekend. You can rest assure the Eels coaches will be examining the losses here and making some needed changes.

Come join us for some exciting action on Sunday

The United States Premier Hockey League is proud to announce that the 2024 USPHL National Championships will return to Utica, New York, co-hosted between the League and the Utica Jr. Comets and the Utica Comets (AHL) organizations, between March 21-26, 2024. The host site will once again be the three-sheet Utica University Nexus Center in Utica.

The Utica University Nexus Center successfully hosted the 2023 USPHL Nationals over six days in March 2023, with 26 teams arriving from around the country to participate in the tournament, which crowns playoff champions in the USPHL Premier and USPHL Elite Conferences. Among the three NHL-sized ice sheets is the Mastrovito Hyundai Rink, which is the home ice for the Utica University Pioneers NCAA Division III women’s hockey program.

Overlooking the Mastrovito Hyundai Rink, which will host both conferences’ championship games, is the Utica Club Restaurant, which offers full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. The Utica Coffee Roasting Company Cafe is will also be open for coffee, other drinks and snack foods in addition to a breakfast menu during the duration of the action.

College coaches will enjoy exclusive use of multiple luxury boxes overlooking the Mastrovito Hyundai Rink, with easy access to view the other two surfaces. 

“The Utica University Nexus Center is a new, first-class and beautiful facility, and it was perfect for hosting our 2023 National Championships, so there was no hesitation among our Nationals Committee to recommend returning to Utica for 2024,” said USPHL Commissioner Bob Turow. “Utica University Nexus  Center General Manager Nicole Kelly and her staff worked extremely hard both leading up to, and during, the 2023 Nationals to make it our best championship event. We welcome fans from across the country and college coaches and scouts to join us in March of 2024 to experience the outstanding hospitality provided by the Utica University Nexus Center, the Utica Comets and the Utica Jr. Comets, all in direct partnership with the USPHL.”

“Hosting the USPHL Premier and Elite National championships last March was a highlight of our inaugural year of the Utica University Nexus Center being open,” said Robert Esche, President of Mohawk Valley Garden, the management company that owns the Utica University Nexus Center and other properties in Utica. “Being chosen to host the USPHL’s pinnacle event for a consecutive year is a great honor. For these young athletes, the memories of this event will last forever. We appreciate the opportunity to build on last year’s event and make it even better.”

“We are excited to be awarded this event for a consecutive year. Having been involved with the USPHL since its inception, it is with genuine excitement and a shared vision that we continue to grow this event into a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of the players and their families,” added Nicole Kelly, General Manager of the Utica University Nexus Center.

 

2024 Tournament Formats

The format for the 2024 National Championships will see a slight change from the 2023 event, with 16 Premier teams advancing to the 2024 Nationals (vs. 18 in 2023) from their divisional playoffs. All 16 teams will play two “Seeding Round” games to open the 2023-2024 USPHL Premier National Championships.

Each team’s two Seeding Round game matchups will be announced on the Nationals Schedule Selection Show airing once all 16 Nationals Participants are confirmed via their Divisional Playoffs (Date / Time TBD). The Seeding Round results will then seed all 16 Nationals Participants for a 16-team, single elimination tournament (the same format used at last year’s Nationals). From there, teams will square off in the Round of 16 (March 23), quarterfinals (March 24), semifinals (March 25) and the championship game (March 26).

With the addition in 2023-24 of the Elite Conference’s Midwest Division, the USPHL Elite tournament will utilize the same tournament format as the Premier Nationals with one change: there will be 10 total participants. Each of the five divisions will send two participants (Note: the North American Prep Hockey League teams are not taking part in the playoffs). Each Elite team’s two-game Seeding Round Schedule will also be announced on the 2023-2024 USPHL Nationals Schedule Selection Show hosted by The Dan K Show.

The Elite National Championship game will be played on March 25, 2024.

 

Watch for a full and detailed breakdown of the Premier and Elite National tournament formats coming soon. 

 

About Utica University Nexus Center

Several hotels in downtown Utica are within walking distance to the Utica University Nexus Center, along with additional restaurants and pubs. The Utica University Nexus Center is about five minutes drive off of the New York Thruway (Interstate 90). Airports in Albany and Syracuse – both just over an hour away – see flights arriving from all around the country.

Along with the Utica Comets and Utica Jr. Comets, the Utica University Nexus Center is home to the men’s and women’s Utica University hockey teams and the MASL’s Utica City Football Club. Opened in 2022, the Utica University Nexus Center has already been awarded two World Championships. The IIHF Women’s Hockey World Championship will take place two weeks after the USPHL Nationals, on April 3-14, and the World Lacrosse Box Championships will take place September 20-29, 2024.

 

About the USPHL

The United States Premier Hockey League is a newly international junior hockey league that encompasses all of the United States as well as affiliate teams from the Quebec and Ontario provinces of Canada. The USPHL’s junior divisions are set into three levels of play – the Tier II Tuition-Free National Collegiate Development Conference, and two Tier III leagues – the USPHL Premier and USPHL Elite. Between all of the levels, there have been more than 3,500 advancements to NCAA hockey and more than 5,000 to all college hockey leagues. There have been more than 1,786 Premier and more than 700 Elite players who have made it to the NCAA hockey level over the years and thousands more to the college hockey levels of ACHA and AAU hockey.

From all of the USPHL levels all time, there have been 49 NHL Entry Draft Selections, including 14 out of the NCDC since its 2017-18 inception. Former USPHL players competing in the NHL include John Marino, Tage Thompson, Drew O’Connor, Shane Pinto and Ryan Donato among others.

USPHL member organizations’ alumni further include NHL players Jack Eichel, Charlie McAvoy, Charlie Coyle, Brett Pesce, Ross Colton, Connor Clifton, Zach Sanford and many more.

The USPHL, Utica University Nexus Center, Utica Comets and Utica Jr. Comets are excited to welcome all qualifying teams, their fans and family and all hockey fans to the 2024 USPHL National Championships. See you in March!

Goaltender: Tobias Bell, Florida Eels

Bell’s second career shutout is what helped the Eels win their second Florida Cup championship at the Premier level. The ‘03 from Summit, N.J., made 24 saves to blank the Juniors and keep the door open for the Eels offense to score five goals in the 5-0 win. Overall, Bell is 4-1 with a .917 save percentage

Coach Scarpaci echoed “we are not the least bit surprised. Bell has done so much to improve his game and take it to the Next Level. During the off season he joined us up at the USPHL NCDC Spring Showcase then  the Pro Am Pre Draft and Sr Chowder Cups. He faced some of the top players from around the world including Major Junior and Junior A in Canada and Tier II in the USA It with this unwavering commitment that pilots him the realize accomplishments he has garnered” GM Scarpaci notes, “Bell is a competitor. He wants it…. This is his year….”

 

Sunday proved no different for the Jr Blades at the Ft Myers Skatium as the Eels continued with their winning ways completing their 4 game sweep over their cross town rivals.  On Saturday at Hertz Arena both the Eels Elite and Premier team were victorious by scores of  4-2 and 7-0 respectively. The Jr Blades were hoping to “turn the tide “on Sunday and gain some ground in the standings. The Elite score was close being 4-2 in Saturday’s loss and no doubt they were expecting to gain some ground. They were hoping to seize a break away perhaps, maybe take advantage of lose puck turn overs, maybe catch a break and garner a win. Well the Eels came out red hot scoring 4 1st period goals. A bit discouraging indeed for the Blades, But the Blades turned things around and  appeared to stem the tide and were looking promising in the middle of the 2nd period as the Jr Blades closed the margin to within 1 as the score was 4-3, But the Eels Elite took their game to another level and put it into another gear scoring 5 more goals to 1 for the Blades and the Eels handed the Blades a stinging lost 9-4.  The Eels Elite gained even ore leverage in the standings securing their sole spot in first place in the Florida Division. What is impressive with the Eels Elite team is unlike the other Divisional leaders in the Elite Division, its scoring is pretty much well rounded. It is a well balanced team where scoring comes from many different players.

On the Premier equation, the dominance showed quite quick and consistent. On Saturday the Eels scored 2 goals in the 1st couple of periods and then opened up for 5 in the 3rd period. On Sunday, the Eels were held to 2 in the 1st period and the Blades quickly scored early in the 2nd period to close the gap to 2-1. But then the wheels feel off for the Jr Blades as the Eels scored for 5 goals in the 2nd and 2 more in the 3rd period. There were 7 different goal scorers for the Eels and it was nothing short of a full scale high octane drive for the Eels. But what was equally impressive was their smothering back checking denying any sustainable come back or penetration by the Blades.

The Eels hallmark of 3-4 weeks of preseason training clearly pays off. We witness this year after year for over a decade. We put our teams in top condition being November ready at the drop of the puck and December ready in October. Our guys are top skilled high performers to begin with but when you spend 4-5 hours er day of training before season and continue with that operation throughout the season you gain the results we have been accustom to. It also fosters a unique branding and culture and camaraderie.

We take on the Tampa Juniors this weekend also home and away. Friday in Tampa and Sunday at home. Tampa is in 2nd place  in both the Elite and Premier Divisions as they sit just a few points behind the Eels and are looking to close the margin. This is familiar territory for both organizations as these two programs have historically dominated the Florida Divisions. The Eels have been the front runners for the overwhelming majority of seasons. These ought to be some great games between the two programs. So far this season the Eels have won in both the Premier and Elite games in fact winning the Florida Cup for the 2nd season in row.

Then we head to Atlanta for a 3 game series for both the Elite and Premier teams. The Madhatters this weekend have 3 game series vs the Palm Beach Typhoon so this will be a very busy weekend for all.

The Eels traveled down to Hertz Arena to take on the Jr Blades in the 1st set of their home and away weekend series. The Eels Elite team squared off first and dropped the Blades 4-2 in the morning contest. The two teams went up and down the 200 foot surface and battled for every inch of the white paint. But the Eels experience and skill proved much superior out shooting the Blades  33 to 25.  Although the Blades scored 1st the Eels struck 4 with the Blades tallying one more late in the 3rd period.  The Eels got goals from Rookie Teddy Feng a native from China, Fan O’Neil from Western Canada, veteran Cooper Bergman from NY, and one from William Fischer from South Florida. The Eels got string goaltending from rookie Michael Pelc. With this win the Eels continued to hold 1st place in the Florida Division

 

In mid afternoon, the Eels Premier team showed why they have held dominant for over a decade in the entire USPHL. Clearly the skill level was superior. The Eels  out skated the Jr Blades, they were faster, drove harder  and outshot them 40 to 9. The Eels smothered the Jr Blades on the fore-check and suffocated the Jr Blades on any sustained offense with their relentless back check.  The Eels unleashed 7 goals on the Blades net minder and the Eels blanked the Blades on the scoreboard.

The Scoring in this game went as follows:

1st Period-1, Florida Eels, Beckett 3 (Potter, Goddard), 3:05. 2, Florida Eels, Perry 5 (Di Re, Engles), 17:25. Penalties-Kukielka Fjb (high-sticking), 6:00; served by Ranta Eel (bench -too many players on the ice), 10:16; Deshaies Eel (roughing), 15:59; Boudreau Fjb (holding), 15:59.

2nd Period-3, Florida Eels, Trathen 9 (Salminen, Shepherd), 17:58. Penalties-Gavin Fjb (hitting from behind), 1:00.

3rd Period-4, Florida Eels, Marchetta 2 (Goddard, Perry), 4:49. 5, Florida Eels, Perry 6 (Ranta, Marchetta), 5:14. 6, Florida Eels, Salminen 7 (Trathen, Shepherd), 9:24. 7, Florida Eels, Beckett 4 (Bondar, Potter), 18:55. Penalties-Deshaies Eel (roughing), 5:58; Boudreau Fjb (holding, roughing), 5:58; Kovacik Fjb (slashing), 7:18.

Shots on Goal-Florida Eels 14-12-14-40. Florida Junior Blades 3-3-3-9.
Power Play Opportunities-Florida Eels 0 / 4; Florida Junior Blades 0 / 1.
Goalies-Florida Eels, Boughen 5-1-0-0 (9 shots-9 saves). Florida Junior Blades, Pico 2-3-0-0 (40 shots-33 saves).

The key to the Eels Premier team is not only their impressive firepower, it is their denying defense. In fact the Eels have gone 7 periods without being scored on.

 

 

The Florida Eels are proud to announce that they remain the defending champions of the Florida Cup series. The Florida Eels Elite and Premier teams, were excited about this years’ Florida Cup series and knew that the pressure to defend their Florida Cup title was extremely high. Both Florida Eels teams were given the 1^st seed of in the Florida Cup games due to their impressive 2022-2023 season finish: Florida Divisional Title Holders, Play Off Champions and National Contenders.

This past weekend, the Eels Elite team competed first on October 14^th, 2023 at 9:00am  against the Florida Jr. Blades. This was a very competitive contest between these two cross town rivals. At the end of regulation the score was tied, 2-2, with goals from Rookies Logan Slezak and Teddy Feng.  The Eels had solid goaltending from Nate Haas. After an intense three period regulation game, the Florida Eels Elite and the Florida Jr. Blades headed into Overtime. Tensions were high, and determination filled the arena. Both players from the Eels and the Jr. Blades had one mission in mind, win this game and head to the Florida Cup Final on Sunday. After a brief intermission and start to the Overtime, another Florida Eels Rookie, Aidan Neville scored to close out the Florida Eels Elite win, advancing them forward to Sunday’s championship game against the Tampa Juniors.

On Sunday, October 15^th, 2023 the Florida Eels Elite began their pregame rituals in preparations to faceoff against the Tampa Bay Juniors. The Tampa Bay Juniors coming in with an impressive start to the 2023-20234 season, and an Overtime win for themselves in their first Florida Cup games series match against the Palm Beach Typhoon were just as determined to win the Florida Cup title. As both teams faced off in hopes of taking the Florida Cup title, they battled hard and with a fire in their blood. The Florida Eels Elite team preserved, as they pushed themselves forward: skating harder, looking for different angles and propelled to the finish with an incredible win. The Florida  Eels Elite scored 4 fantastic goals, with Tampa Bay Juniors not far behind with 3 goals, allowing them to defeat their Tampa rivals and once again win the Florida Cup, retaining their champion title .This game was nothing short of impressive and yielded goals from Florida Eels veteran Cole Taylor scoring 1 goal,  new comers Yiourgas Bikakis scoring two goals and  Zayne Haddon- Harris scoring 1 goal as well.  Anthony LaCroix, goaltender, held a great presence in net for the championship game. It was an impressive showing for the Elite team and no doubt a great start to another impressive season to come.

The Florida Eels Premier had a later start to the Florida Cup series with their first contest game starting at 7:00 pm on October 14^th, 2023 as they faced off against their cross-town rivals the Florida Jr. Blades as well. The Florida Jr. Blades took the first point of the game, in the second period, taking a 1-0 lead; however, the Florida Eels fire for the win was lit and they rapidly responded putting away 5 goals. The Premier team was a forced to be reckoned with, and put on a clinic as they lit the lamp. As Dylan Boughen held the Florida Eels crease with his impressive net-minding, Florida Eels veterans Noah Trathen scoring 2 goals, Jared Salminen scroing 1 goal, and new comers Cole Ranta  and Holden Becket each scoring 1goal forged the path to victory. The Florida Eels Premier were headed to the Florida Cup Championship.

After an impressive 5-1 victory, over the Florida Jr. Blades the Florida Eels made preparations to take on the Tampa Bay Juniors Premier for the Florida Cup Championship, on Sunday, October 15^th, 2023 at 7:00 pm. The Premier team, did not let the end of the day game time keep them from their extensive preparations: with an early morning warm up, game video and meetings with coaches earlier in the day, the spark for victory was lit early.  The Florida Eels Premier knew that the Tampa Bay Juniors, were determined to take home the Florida Cup title, and  therefore the Florida Eels came out of the gate with their engines burning. The Florida Eels Premier blazed the lamp with 5 unanswered goals, taking charge of the game: with Florida Eels goaltending veteran Tobias Bell, in net for this game stopped each puck launched in his direction, sealing the game with a shutout. The Florida Eels skill surpassed even the best projections laid out by broadcasting officials early on in the match. Florida Eels Premier Captian Maverick Crupi opened the five goal lead when he clinched the first point of the game. He was followed shortly after by Lorenzo Marchetta, former Elite all-star from last season, clinching his first goal of the season. Sebastian Potter claimed goal three for the Florida Eels putting them on  he clear path to victory. However, it was Jacob Godbout’s fourth goal clinch, and a whopping two\ minute later goal grab by Holden Beckett that sealed the Florida Eels victory against the Tamp Bay Juniors, to reclaim the Florida Cup Championship title. This victory achieved by the Florida Eels Premier was a clear message being sent to other teams in the league of what they intend to achieve this season: winning of a National Championship.

The Florida Eels Elite and Premier were showed incredible talent over the past weekend during the Florida Cup series and were the clear champions amongst their peers. It is an exhilarating start for what is to come over the next few months as we forge our path toward playoffs and nationals. The Eels have sent the message: watch out, we are coming to win!