We are excited to announce the signing of Alex Svoboda. Alex is a 2003, 5’8″, 160 lbs defenseman with experience under his belt. Last year Alex played for the Richmond Generals Elite, scoring seven goals, sixteen assists in thirty-nine games. The Eels coaching staff was greatly impressed with his hockey IQ, skating ability, and poise with the puck. Adding a defenseman with great tools and potential like Alex is imperative to our success this year.
The Florida Eels coaching staff went to Denver CO for the CCM in numbers and they were a major hit. There were 150+ Junior and college coaches in attendance. There were 400+ players from 2001-2004 and another 300+ 2005-06.
The Eels coaches were inundated with interest. In fact over 10% of the players competing at this Showcase/Tournament, sought out to talk with the Eels coaching staff. It was readily apparent at the coaches meet and greet section throughout the weekend event, the Eels drew players and parents. The Eels were indeed busy scouting throughout the weekend but their booth was packed.
There were quite a few very high end players there and we feel strongly about signing key players for next season.
Moreover, GM Frank Scarpaci was on the panel of coaches that addressed parents and players Saturday evening. In fact it was one of the largest attended player parent event ever at the CCM Showcase. I would estimate well over 600 in attendance. Coach Scarpaci addressed many issues comparing leagues, the different division, billeting, day in a life as a junior player and the advancement to college hockey.
Eels General Manager Takes Lead in Scouting the Future Stars Showcase in Sweden Once again the Florida Eels are entrenched with their European relationships. The Eels GM Frank Scarpaci spent most of the weekend scouting 16 games consisting of players from Sweden, Finland, Russia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Hungry, Slovakia, Iceland and Germany. The Eels have brought well over 60 players from Europe in the past 6 years and this year we are expecting an incredible number of high end players to join us echoes Coach Frank. This has been an amazing weekend for us. With me and Joey Colatarci scouting the European market and Coach Frankie and Sanchez taking the lead in Denver at the CCM Showcase we are very optimistic we will have one of the most talented recruiting class ever.
It has been the hallmark of GM Scarpaci in garnering the top European Junior age players to the Eels and he says he is so impressed with the high level of talent. These are all Tier II caliber players. They will be very impactful when they arrive. Moreover, he adds, to understand the enormity of recruiting season, you need to understand how strong our Canadian signings have been. There too we have a plethora of high level Tier II players joining the Eels this upcoming season.
Once again the Florida Eels are entrenched with their European relationships. The Eels GM Frank Scarpaci spent most of the weekend scouting 16 games consisting of players from Sweden, Finland, Russia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Hungry, Slovakia, Iceland and Germany. The Eels have brought well over 60 players from Europe in the past 6 years and this year we are expecting an incredible number of high end players to join us echoes Coach Frank. This has been an amazing weekend for us. With me and Joey Colatarci scouting the European market and Coach Frankie and Sanchez taking the lead in Denver at the CCM Showcase we are very optimistic we will have one of the most talented recruiting class ever.
It has been the hallmark of GM Scarpaci in garnering the top European Junior age players to the Eels and he says he is so impressed with the high level of talent. These are all Tier II caliber players. They will be very impactful when they arrive. Moreover, he adds, to understand the enormity of recruiting season, you need to understand how strong our Canadian signings have been. There too we have a plethora of high level Tier II players joining the Eels this upcoming season.
Howe joined the Eels midway last season. He is a seasoned defensemen who brought solid experience to the Eels blueline. Hunter stands 5’11 165 lbs. He plays tough both physically and with the mental toughness to win. He plays a solid two-way style putting up close to 40 points in his junior career. But his strongest attributes are his defensive abilities inside the defensive zone. He has outstanding gap, and battles relentlessly along the boards and near impossible to beat in front of his own net. He moves the puck well in the Eels transition game. He has excellent skill set. He has excellent vision and this is a huge reason for his success.
Although joining the Eels mid-season, he immediately felt comfortable with the Eels style of play. He plays with unwavering commitment. Very dedicated on and off the ice. He understands what it takes to win. He plays with a high compete level. He is returning and is more determined than ever. He wants another bite at running at Nationals. That loss stung deep; but it was a learning experience. Trust me for a player like Howe, he harness that experience and will build on it. It will propel him to be that much better. He could taste it. He also came back to the Eels as he knows what the Eels do – and that is advancing players to college. There is no doubt with his toughness and skill set, and willingness to compete at the level, he will ripen into a solid NCAA college player. We are excited that he will be returning this season.
The Florida Eels are Thrilled to Re-Sign Veteran Junior Player Jeff Brann to the 2021-22 Season
Jeff Brann marks his return to the Florida Eels program. Jeff is a proven veteran player who has scored 42 goals and notched 46 assists playing juniors. He also won a National title during his tenure. He proved last season to be a goal scorer after joining the Eels midseason. He brings good size to the Eels at 6’1” 181 lbs. and has good speed. Jeffrey has very solid skills and has developed quite well over his tenure playing juniors. He is a determined young man who is a total team guy. In fact, Jeffrey started his playing career at Juniors with the Eels and it was great to see him come home to the Eels family.
He brings a lot of spirit and zeal to the ice. You can see it in his eyes he wants to win, and he brings this winning attitude every game. He is a local player, from Estero Florida. He spent several years in the Northeast where he won a National Championship. He brought that experience and poise with him last season when he re-joined the Eels. You could tell that experience boasted well in the locker room and on the ice.
Brann knows full well the Eels reputation in developing and ripening players into college prospects. No doubt few can claim the 270 college advancements that the Eels placed. They have a winning tradition, and he wants to be a key part of furthering an Eels Championship quest.
Next Week May 28-30th the Florida Eels coaching staff head out to the CCM Junior Showcase in Denver CO. The Eels have been scouting at the CCM Showcase for over a decade. It has been an incredible scouting and recruiting venue for the Eels where we have signed well over 60 players over the years. Indeed, some of our top players were signed at this forum.
In fact even during the Shutdown last season across the USA and Canada, the CCM Showcase was one of the only showcases that continued to hist its event.
We have already spoken with quite a few players who are planning to be at the CCM Showcase and the Eels are very much looking forward to furthering those discussions. There have been traditionally well over 500 players who compete in this tournament type forum. The Eels always host a booth and the Florida Eels General Manager Frank Scarpaci traditionally is on the panel of Junior coaches who delivers a discussion of junior hockey opportunities. Our Eels coaches typically are on the bench coaching a number of games getting to know the players a little better.
Florida Eels Bringing 3 teams to the Pro Am NHL Pre Draft held on JUNE 11th – 13TH, 2021 at the Foxboro Sports Center, The New England Sports Village and the Canton Ice House Mass.
The Eels will have 60 players at the Pre Draft. Each team will have a their own practice headed up by the Eels coaches and guest coaches. Then each squad will have a scrimmage game to better prepare them for the upcoming showcase series of games. This aspect is very unique to the Eels Pre Draft teams.
In the showcase games there will be teams from across the USA and Canada
Trevor is a 4 year veteran of the USPHL. At 6’01 200 lbs. plays very big and uses his size to outwork his opponents. He plays very physical; an imposing stature. He has played 3 seasons with the Florida Eels program; two seasons with the Eels Premier team. A solid two-way Defensemen who is known for jumping in on the rush.
Voyda is extremely strong in the D zone. He makes smart first passes out. Relentless work ethic. Owns the crease and the wall. Very difficult to beat. Has excellent puck movement and stickhandling abilities. He has strong gap control. Voyda has a heavy lethal shot from the offensive blueline. An ever threat offensively. He has excellent vision. He is a consummate competitor. A very dedicated and determined young man. A true leader on the team. Selfless in all regards. Trevor has been an integral part of the Eels teams’ success over the last 3 seasons and key to the Eels National Championship run where we finished as Runner Ups.
This is Trevor’s year to capture a college commitment. He is a strong student academically. We are thrilled to have Trevor complete his junior career with us. He has ripened and matured into a strong impactful defenseman.
He was our “Flying Frenchmen” in the spirit of many great Montreal Canadian players. …He was a very determined young man with an insatiable appetite to score.
The Florida Eels are excited to announce the Re-Signing of Eels forward Mathieu Rioux from Montreal Canada
Mathieu 5’9” 145 lbs. came to the Eels as a rookie and took off flying scoring 13 goals and notching 19 assists for 32 points. He was a consummate threat whenever he was on the ice. He has explosive speed and constantly drove to the net. He was our “Flying Frenchmen” in the spirit of many great Montreal Canadian players. He has the natural ability to score. Made excellent passes and made players better around him. He went through the learning curve as a rookie and learned very fast. This season we expect him to raise his game and hit the 25 goal mark and hit an equal number of assists.
Mathieu was selected as Player of the Week, several times throughout the season, Player of the Month by the league coaches, and Year End All Star by the League panel of coaches. Additionally, he was also selected by the USPHL HUB City Coaches from across the league as one of the HUB City All Stars and competed in the USPHL All Star game at the Hub City.
Rioux plays with such spirit and jump to his game. He was a very determined young man with an insatiable appetite to score. He has a high compete level and plays with unwavering commitment to win. His efforts earned him a spot on the top power play line and penalty kill unit. He has keen awareness on the ice. Great vision. We already have colleges looking at him and this year he will undoubtedly raise his lot. He is a true team guy. He has bought into the Eels system. The Eels coaching staff is thrilled he will be returning.
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