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Florida Eels Premier and Elite returned Saturday, evening to take on the Northern Cyclones for their third match up of the USPHL Florida College Showcase. With a split with their earlier opponents the Jr. Canes, Florida Eels Elite pulled a 3-2 win over the Jr. Canes earlier in the day; whereas, the Florida Eels Premier fell 5-2 to the Jr. Canes earlier in the day, the Eels came in prepared for their double header of the day and to claim another win.

The Florida Eels Premier faced off against the Northern Cyclones Saturday, December 21^st at 7:00 pm. With Russ Decoste starting his second game of the USPHL Florida College Showcase between the pipes, the Eels lined up and were ready for action. At 13:49 in the first period, Florida Eels Seth Morris assisted by Matthew Cunningham scored the first point of the game. The Eels closed the first period, leading 1-0 over the Northern Cyclones.

The Florida Eels came back in the second period determine to further their lead advantage. At 9:55 in the second Captain Anthony Zebley assisted by Xavier Charron and Owen Blyth scored the Eels second point of the game. The Eels claimed their third goal, at 17:11 in the second, when Eels Viktor Gogh assisted by Ian Dracoulis found the back of the net. The Eels closed the second period with a 3-0 lead over the Northern Cyclones.

With a 3-0 lead at the start of the third period, it was Eels Matthew Cunningham assisted by Brandon Becker who grabbed the Eels fourth and final goal of the game at 7:34. The Northern Cyclones claimed their one and only goal at 19:14 in the third period. The Eels claiming a 4-1 victory over the Northern Cyclones.

The Florida Eels Elite, took the ice shortly before 10:00 pm on Saturday December 21^st to take on the Northern Cyclones. Eels Florida Eels, Filip Vitanov between the pipes for his second game start of the USPHL Florida Showcase (Ethan Rotante to start in third period), the Eels lined up for game action. The Florida Eels Elite fell 7-1 to the Northern Cyclones, the 2023-2024 National Title holders in Saturday’s game. Stepan Kuznets assisted by Ty Elzinga and Zayn Haddon-Harris scored the Eels lone goal in the first period at 14:42.

Both the Florida Eels Premier and Elite will return to Hertz Arena Sunday, December 22^nd to take on the Potomac Patriots for their fourth and final game of the USPHL Florida College Showcase. Florida Eels Elite will face off first at 9:00 am, with the Premier to follow at 11:00 am. Join us live at Hertz Arena for a full day of hockey action, and the Eels last games of the showcase. Can’t join us live? Be sure to watch live on FloHockey! Go Eels!

Friday evening proved to be an action-packed game series between the Florida Eels Premier and Elite versus the Charlotte Rush. The Eels opened their showing at the Florida College Showcase in Estero strong as they each pulled a big win. Saturday, morning the Florida Eels Premier and Elite were set to play the Carolina Jr. Canes. Both teams showed up and were determined to bring home their second win of the showcase. However, the series was split as the Florida Eels Elite pulled off a 3-2 win over the Carolina Jr. Canes, and the Florida Eels Premier fell 5-2.

Florida Eels Elite opened game time action at 9:15 am Saturday, December 21^st against the Carolina Jr. Canes. Florida Eels Landon Blaine, made his debut between the pipes, at the USHPL Florida College Showcase, and the game was off. It was Brantlee Hoffman assisted by Ty Elzinga, who scored the first point of the game at 3:27 in the first. The Eels lead 1-0 over the Jr. Canes at the close of the first period.

The second period remained 1-0, as neither team advanced in putting a puck in the net. However, at 8:44 the Jr. Canes tied the game 1-1. At 11:14 Zayn Haddon-Harris assisted by Jackson Carnes and Zachary Bahret took the lead for the Eels once again scoring the Eels second goal of the game. At 17:35 it was Eels Carmen D’Ambrosio assisted by Jackson Carnes that pushed the Eels lead by two as they scored the Eels third goal of the game. At 18:55 the Jr. Canes closed the gap by one as they scored their second goal of the game. The Eels closed the game, winning 3-2 over the Jr. Canes.

Florida Eels Premier opened the game at 11:15 am Saturday, December 21^st with Noah Van Herik making his debut between the pipes at the USPHL Florida College Showcase. At 13:28, in the first the Carolina Jr. Canes claimed the first point of the game. At 14:40, it was Eels Kenny Granacker assisted by Blake Becker and Brendan Dohan scored the Eels first goal. The Eels closed the first period tied 1-1 with the Jr. Canes.

At 4:21 in the second period, the Jr. Canes claimed the lead once again. However, at 7:52 Florida Eels Captain Anthony Zebley assisted by Xavier Charron and Robbin Kussik scored a power play goal once again tying up the game with the Jr. Canes. At the close of the second the Florida Eels and Jr. Canes were deadlocked 2-2.

The Florida Eels continued to battle in hopes of gaining the lead against the Jr. Canes. However, at 11:43 in the third, the Jr. Canes once again took the lead over the Florida Eels (3-2). The Eels pulled their goalie, Noah Van Herik, as they added a sixth player to the ice in hopes of gaining another point to tie up the game. However, with an empty net the Jr. Canes scored two goals claiming at 5-2 win over the Florida Eels.

Both the Florida Eels Elite and Premier went hope for a quick rest and to regroup before returning for their evening match ups against the Northern Cyclones.

In day one of the Florida College Showcase in Estero the Eels Premier and Elite teams over take the Charlotte Rush for their 1st win of the weekend games. When you talk about “Rivalry Games” these are it. Indeed, there is no bigger rivalry in the USPHL than the Eels and the Rush. The term is often coined These two teams are like “the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.” Both teams are amongst the top in their respective divisions for well over a decade. Both teams have steadfastly finished 1st or 2nd place in the regular season. Both systematically advanced in their Divisional playoffs to Nationals. Both have been amongst the top at Nationals regularly advancing to the semi-finals and finals. These two organizations are also amongst the the leaders in college advancements. Anytime they meet we see the best in Junior Hockey

These two organizations have met so many times over the years and deliver the best of the best. They compete so hard shift after shift, period after period game after game. These games are without doubt the highlight of so many of the Southeast, Estero, Tampa showcase games and Nationals. The attendance by fans and scouts are incredible, Last night was no exception. This was quite evident after the game with a number of college coaches awaiting to talk with these teams prospects.

There is enormous respect for one another. From the players, the coaches to the General Managers.

In the Elite game, we same strong action by both teams. The Eels players put 26 shots on the Rush net minder and put 4 passed them whereas the Rush fired 33 on the Eels goalie Filip Vitanov who turned 30 and held them to 3 for the big win. Period One, it was Zayn Haddon Harris who captured the Eels first goal of the game at 11:06. Brantlee Hoffman grabbed the Eels second goal of the game t 13:39 in the first. The first period closed the Eels and Rush were tied 2-2. The Eels remained scoreless in the second period, with the Rush pulling ahead 3-2-tensions were high. However, the Eels came in strong in the third period, at 7:14, in the third Carmen D’Ambrosio tied the game with the Eels third goal. The Eels were invigorated and at 13:31, Tyson Gagnon grabbed the Eels fourth and final goal.

At the Premier level, the Eels were victorious as well. This one was a real nail-bitter as well. The two teams played with such determination and fortitude. Up and down action. No doubt the game was the focus of the night with college scouts glued to the boards. The hitting, passing, skating, shooting and goaltending was at the “Next Level” You could see it shift after shift, The determination and intensity was unmatched. The game was scoreless until 16:33 of the 2nd period when Yiorgos Bikakis notched his 7th of the season for the actual game winner. Then in an effort to tie the game, the Rush pulled it goalie in the final minute of play to skate 6-5. But the Eels defensive play thawed their attach and the Eels goalie Russ DeCoste continued his stifling performance. Indeed, DeCoste turned away 33 of 33 shots for shutout performance. As an insurance goal, Eels star forward Robin Kuusik
put a 2nd one past the Rush net minder for a 2-0 final.

Here once again we saw a number of college coaches down both the Eels and Rush locker-rooms. This is why the players gravitate to these two marquee programs. The players from both organizations represented their teams and the league with professionalism and class.

 

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