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Coaches Frankie Scarpaci Alex Sanchez and GM Frank Scarpaci all attended the USPHL Combine in Detroit Michigan this past weekend as they kicked off their 2021-22 recruiting season. There were 220 skaters and 30 goalies competing at the NCDC Combine.

The Eels coaches arrived a day early to get things started and met with over a dozen players who they targeted as key prospects who might fit into the Eels system. The Eels coaches are very selective in their scouting and recruiting. They look for a certain quality in the players’ skill set and  certain character traits.

We are looking for players who share our philosophy  and who posses the work ethic which is the hallmark of our program.

We were happy in who we talk with.

In two weeks we head to Boson MA for our first showcase. We will have 3 teams of Eels prospects. 60 players who all are looking to showcase their skills as they tryout out for the Eels’ program for the Fall

Announcing The 2020-21 USPHL Elite Florida Division All Stars

 

By USPHL Staff 

 

The USPHL is proud to announce its 2020-21 USPHL Elite Mid-Atlantic Division All-Stars as voted by the division’s coaches. Congratulations to all of these players in their future endeavors!

 

Listed below in alphabetical order:

 

Ryan Bahula, Tampa Bay Juniors (Forward ‘03 St. Petersburg, Fla.)

His 31 goals and 64 points tied him at the top of the league’s scorers. Five of his goals along with nine assists came on Juniors power plays and Bahula also fired four game-winners adding another goal on his only shootout attempt of the season. He also had two Premier game call-ups. With 105 points, he is second all-time in Tampa scoring.

 

Vincent Cartier, Florida Eels (Forward ‘04 St-Germain-de-Graham, Que.)

In 40 games with the Eels, Cartier collected nine goals and 26 points. Three of those goals, along with a half dozen assists came on Eels’ power plays and one of them was a game-winning goal.

 

Ryan Chambre, Florida Eels (Defense ‘03 Fort Myers, Fla.)

The local product for the Eels, Chambre played 39 games with the Elite Eels this season, scoring seven goals and collecting 27 points. Two of his goals along with five assists came on Eels’ plowerplays and he also notched a pair of game-winners.

 

Matt Clift, Florida Eels (Forward ‘01 Broomfield, Colo.)

Clift was a great playmaker, scoring a dozen  and setting up another 23 for the Eels for 35 points in 40 games this season. Two goals and three assists came on power play opportunities and Clift added a goal and assist while shorthanded as well. Clift scored three game winners and was called on in shootouts twice, scoring both times.

 

Nash Cobbs, Tampa Bay Juniors (Defense ‘03 Dunellon, Fla.)

One of many local area products for the Juniors, Cobbs collected five goals and 21 assists in 36 games for the Juniors, with a goal and nine assists coming with the team up a skater. He also added a shorthanded assist.

 

Case Cook, Charleston Colonials (Defense ‘03 Charleston, S.C.)

Cook notched four goals and added 17 assists for 21 points in 38 games played with the Colonials. He notched a goal and set up six others on the power play and one of the goals was a game-winner. Cook also collected two assists with the Colonials shorthanded.

 

Adam Custable, Tampa Bay Juniors (Forward ‘03 Tampa, Fla.)

Custable contributed 24 goals and 60 points playing for his hometown team. A key on the special teams, Custable had 13 assists with the extra attacker and scored another five and adding two other goals with the Juniors killing a penalty. Three of his goals were game-winners for the Juniors.

 

Landen Engles, Florida Eels (Forward ‘03 Sioux Falls, S.D.)

Engles collected 13 goals and 34 points for the Eels in 41 regular season contests, two goals and a half dozen points coming with an extra attacker. He also notched a game-winner which came on his lone shootout attempt this season. He had previously played for new USPHL Premier team the Pueblo Bulls.

 

Jack Fleer, Tampa Bay Juniors (Forward ‘02 Lutz, Fla.)

Another member of the potent Juniors’ offense, Fleer collected 20 goals and 46 points in just 38 games this past season. He scored six times and added four assists on the Tampa power play and four of his goals were game-winners. Fleer also added an assist on the penalty kill.

 

Sebastian Hale, Charleston Colonials (Forward ‘03 Dallas, Texas)

Hale played 29 games with the Colonials, collecting 10 goals and 24 points with a goal and eight helpers coming on the powerplay. Hale impressed enough to be selected four times in shootouts, and he was a big help in the playoffs and Nationals, where the Colonials reached the National Championship game.

 

Kaleb Harrop, Florida Eels (Forward, ‘01 St. Louis, Mo.)

Harrop was second overall in team scoring and first in goals, potting 27 and collecting 46 points in 40 games for the Eels. Five of those and eight points total came on the powerplay while Harrop triggered two game winners and scored on the only shootout attempt he made. He was one of many players on this list who skated in the first-ever USPHL Elite All-Star Game at Hub City Tampa.

 

Zachary Humphrey, Florida Jr. Blades (Goalie ‘02 Naples, Fla.)

Humphrey played 24 games for the Blades this past season and faced nearly 1000 shots, stopping all but 98 of 968. He collected a shootout win and stopped six of 11 post-game shootout attempts.

 

Filip Kuba, Tampa Bay Juniors (Defense ‘04 Woodbury, Minn.)

Kuba led all defenders in scoring for the Juniors, firing 10 goals and adding 19 assists for 29 points in 41 games. A key cog on the powerplay, Kuba scored four times and added three assists when the Juniors had the extra attacker, two others coming while shorthanded. His father, also Filip, is a Juniors assistant coach and a former NHL player for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

 

Rory Neish, Florida Jr. Blades (Forward ‘02 Wichita, Kan.)

The team might have struggled, but opposition clubs had a hard time slowing down Neish who collected 16 goals and 47 points. One of his goals and seven points came on power plays and another goal, along with an assist come with the team shorthanded. He fired two game-winners, one coming on a shootout goal.

 

Marco Pineda, Charleston Colonials (Forward ‘02 Charleston, S.C.)

Pineda played just 26 games for the Elite Colonials this season but that was enough to rack up 13 goals and 26 points. He excelled on special teams, scoring all but five of his goals with the extra attacker and adding a couple assists. He also fired a shorthanded marker and three of his goals were game winners. He also posted seven points in 16 Premier games, as well. Leading the Elite team with 51 career points, he’s set the bar high for the second-year Colonials.

 

Jeremy Pizzola, Florida Jr. Blades (Defense ’03 Cape Coral, Fla.)

Pizzola connected on three goals and added 18 assists in regulation time with the Junior Blades. One of the goals and five assists came on power play opportunities and he also added a shorthanded assist. Pizzola added a goal on his only Shootout chance of the season. A career Jr. Blade, he goes back to 15U hockey in the USPHL.

 

Brody Smojice, Charleston Colonials (Forward ‘02 Charleston, S.C.)

The team’s leading scorer this season was a hometowner, Smojice notching 16 goals and collecting 30 points in 37 games with the Elite Colonials this season. He racked up 12 points, including seven goals, on the powerplay and added a goal and assist while playing shorthanded. Two of his goals were game-winners. His 44 career points are close behind Pineda’s for career numbers.

 

Evan Spinella, Tampa Bay Juniors (Goalie ‘03 Tampa, Fla.)

Spinella split the work in goal and put up a 13-4-2-0 record in 22 games this past season. Spinella faced 570 shots and collected a 2/69 Goals Against Average with a Shooting Percentage of .909 and a shutout. He is a former 15U Jr. Blades teammate of Jeremy Pizzola from 2018-19.

 

Korey Walker, Atlanta Mad Hatters (Defense ‘04 Loganville, Ga.)

A local product for Atlanta, Walker scored five goals and picked up 13 points for the Mad Hatters in 32 games. A goal and a couple of the assists came on Mad Hatter power plays and he also set up a goal while shorthanded. One of his goals was a game-winner. The ‘04 also got his first couple games in with the Premier team.

 

Sebastian Zamborsky, Atlanta Mad Hatters (Forward ‘03 Atlanta, Ga.)

The team’s leading scorer, Zamborsky collected 19 goals and 31 points for the Mad Hatters in 40 games. Two of his goals were game-winners and Zamborsky contributed four goals and nine points on the power play. He got a three-game look with the Premier squad.

 

Anthony Zebley, Florida Eels (Forward ‘04 Philadelphia, Pa.)

He played just 34 games but that was enough for Zebley to lead the Eels in scoring this season, firing 22 goals, and collecting 49 points. He contributed five goals and 10 points on the Eels’ powerplay and another goal and assist while shorthanded. Zebley played for the Jr. Blades 16U team last season. His brother T.J. was a Premier All-Star.

2021 Florida Eels Tryouts

The Florida Eels do not host traditional tryouts. We are very unique in our approach of recruiting and signing players for its teams.

The Florida Eels use essentially a Showcase invite to prospective players so we can evaluate talent and character  of each player. Specifically the Eels invite players to join an Eels team at one of the showcases listed below. The teams are essentially All Star Showcase teams made up of prospects and existing Florida Eels players. They compete in a tournament style of play against teams from across the USA Canada and Europe. The teams are coached by Eels coaches, and in some cases college coaches Prep School coaches and Eels alumni currently playing college hockey. These are excellent vehicles for prospects to evaluate if they want to play for the Eels.

The Eels coaches and General Manager will meet individually with the players and their parents to discuss the Eels program, day in a life with the Eels ,player development , college placements and billeting.

The Eels coaches strongly feel that it is much better to evaluate a player’s skill set and hockey sense by seeing him compete in showcase settings against top players from the USA, Canada and Europe than having players perform perfunctory drills. So we encourage prospects to join us at one or more of these showcases.

There are 3 Post Season Tryout Showcases:

The first showcase will be held May 7-9th, 2021.  The USPHL Spring Showcase.     The team will compete at the Foxboro Sports Center in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  Players born 2001-2005 are eligible to play. This is an excellent “gate out of the gate” event to showcase your skills in front of NCDC and NCAA college coaches as well. It is a smaller event compared to the Pro Am Series but for players who are looking for an immediate commitment this is clearly the showcase to attend.

The second showcase is the New England Pro Am NHL PreDraft.  This showcase will be held on June 11th-13th in Canton, Foxboro, and North Attleboro, Massachusetts.  Players born 2001-2004 are eligible to play.  We will have two teams at this showcase: Junior A which is players born 2001-2004 and College which is players 2002-2004.

 

The third showcase is the New England Pro Am Senior Chowder Cup.  This showcase takes place July 22nd-25th, 2021 in Foxboro and Canton, Massachusetts.

The Pro-Am PreDraft and the Pro Am Senior Chowder Cup series are the most prestigious post-season showcases in North America.  They are the granddaddy of them all.  It brings teams from all across the USA, Canada, and Europe.  The teams consist of some of the top players in the world.  It provides invaluable experience to players who will play with and against some of the highest level of players in the world.  Many NHL, NCAA Division I and III players have competed in this venue.  Players also garner phenomenal exposure as it is scouted by NHL General Managers, Coaches and Scouts.  NCAA Division I and III coaches, and a plethora of scouts from the USHL, BCHL, NCDC, NHL, USPHL and a host of other junior leagues.

 

All of these showcases offer phenomenal exposure to college and junior coaches.  All players who compete at these events with the Eels will be assured a spot on a USPHL team.

 

 

The Eels are one of the top junior programs in the USA. They have consistently been one of the top programs in the USA for over a decade.  This past season the Eels’ Premier team were Finalist at the USPHL Nationals and were the USPHL Florida Divisional Champions.

Both the Elite and Premier  teams are amongst the top in the league.  The Eels have made it to the finals 3 times in its history, 7 times as semi-finalist.  Each year over 12 players from its teams advance to college.  Indeed, the Eels have advanced over 266 players to college hockey, including NCAA Division I and III and ACHA Division ! and II college hockey programs

This year the Eels  strongly encourages interested players to contact us to participate in one of these tryout showcase teams. Note that  these forums are in Massachusetts.

The cost for each showcase is $375.00. Players are responsible for their own transportation, food and lodging.

To make application for a spot on one of the showcase teams you must contact Clare Scarpaci at 941-400-0712. eelshockeycoach@aol.com or Frank Scarpaci Florida Eels GM at GM@floridaeels.com. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Frank Scarpaci Florida Eels Junior Program. 941-400-9023

The Florida Eels Kicks off their annual summer training for players born 2006-2001.

Also welcome are Florida Eels college and professional alumni players looking to garner post season training to get ready for the upcoming season.

These sessions are high tempo practices geared for the high end player who is looking to bring his game to the Next Level. The focus is strictly on skill development. For any player who intends to play on the Eels Premier, Elite or its newly formed Midget Junior Development team – these sessions  are a must.

There will be two 1 1/2 hour on ice practices  per week Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 am  – 10:30 am and there will be 3 off ice hours TBA to be held at  Gulf Coast Fitness and at the Ft Myers Skatium.

The cost for 4 weeks is $200.00 This includes eight  1 1/2  hour ice sessions and 12 hours of off-ice conditioning.

Players must register ahead of time. Contact Frank Scarpaci 239-728-1223

The Florida Eels coaches are off to the USPHL Combine in Detroit MIchigan this week for their first major recruiting weekend. There are in excess of 220 players showcasing their skills in a weekend tournament style showcase.

Eels Premier Coach Frankie Scarpaci Elite Coach Alex Sanchez will be joined by Florida Eels General Manager Frank Scarpaci for this forum. We have signed several players last year at this venue and we are looking forward to a rewarding weekend.

The Eels are once again looking to retool for next season as they have had over the last 10 years. And what a run it has been. Consistently winning the Regular Season Florida Division Title and playoffs. 8 years advancing to Nationals 5 semi final appearances and 3 final appearances.

The Eels will be heading to Foxboro Mass for the USPHL Spring NCDC Pre Draft Prospects Showcase. The Florida Eels have 3 teams of prospects looking to join the Eels for next season. This is indeed extremely impressive. It too will be a tournament style showcase where players will compete against teams from around the league. The Eels will conduct a practice for the players and have several scrimmages before the weekend games to help prepare its players for the weekend games.

Also in May, the Eels coaches will travel to the USPHL 2nd Combine in Chicago. These are some huge endeavors for the Eels coaching staff and they very much looking forward to these early recruiting measures.

After two seasons of playing juniors with the Florida Eels Gavin Hoover will be making his jump to the Next Level as he commits to Western Michigan University and its ACHA Division I hockey program. Hoover is 5’11 161 lbs. left shot forward. He has played two seasons with the Florida Eels. He actually is only a 2003 with two years of junior eligibility. Despite being only a 03 he is a two year veteran of the Eels and the USPHL.

Gavin brings much excitement and zeal to the ice. He has solid skill set. A strong skater with good speed. He handles the puck well. Has the will and desire to score. He brings an unwavering commitment to his team. A dedicated player. High hockey IQ. He is the ultimate competitor.

Gavin is anxious to start his college career. He has had a plethora of college options with many fine academic institutions with solid college club teams. Gavin did extensive due diligence and was sold on WMU. Moreover, Hoover was so impressed with Coach Andy Reynolds. He is a solid college coach and Gavin is looking forward to the transition from being an Eels to becoming a West Michigan Stallion.

We wish the best for Gavin in his college career.

The Florida Eels forging forward in the Spring preparing for next season. They enter the USPHL Spring Showcase The NCDC Pre Draft Event

Players 2005-2000

The Florida Eels Defensemen Payton Donica Commits to ACHA West Virginia University.

 

The Florida Eels are honored to announce that veteran defensemen Payton Donica from Columbus Indiana claims West Virginia University as his home for the next four years. Donica at 6’3 185 lbs. will bring size and experience to the West Virginia Mountaineers. Donica a solid veteran (2000)  in the USPHL. He  plays a defensive style of play. He relentlessly outworks opponents in the D Zone. Battles hard in the crease and along the boards. Smart first pass out and has good puck movement skills. He is solid in the neutral zone with solid gap and has a nice shot on the offensive blueline.

 

Payton proved to be a solid leader on the Eels Elite team. Great team guy. Selfless player. Great in the locker room. He has a high hockey IQ.  Has solid work ethic. Unwavering commitment to win. He is so excited to be taking his game to the Next Level. Advancing to college hockey has been a lifelong dream for Donica. Coming to the Eels this season helped made this a reality. It was great that Payton had many college options available to him. But UWV just felt right. Coach Shane Buckley  and the other coaches has seen  through this season and Payton felt good about his future there. Moreover, West Virginia has one of the top academic programs in the United States. The bottom line,  it is all about college and West Virginia fits all the  right boxes.

 

This is a young man of impeccable character. He will do so well in his 4 year college tenure.

 

We wish Payton all the best he will be missed.

Florida Eels Stepan Nosar To Join ACHA Division I Next Season

Roosevelt University The Florida Eels are thrilled to announce its 3rd College commitment this season. Stepan Nosar will join Roosevelt University ACHA Division I program for next season. Eels’ veteran defensemen Stepan Nosar, from the Ukraine, will join Roosevelt University in Chicago for the Fall of 2021. This marks the Florida Eels 263rd college commitment. Very impressive benchmark and achievement for a Junior Program.

At 6’0 185 lbs. Nosar will bring good size to the Roosevelt Lakers’ team. Stepan is a three year veteran of the USPHL. He plays a hybrid style of play as he moves the puck well and joins the offensive rush. He has good puck control. He is a physical player and is quite strong in the D Zone ensuring his goalie and their crease are taken care of. He uses his size and his body very effectively as he battles along the boards and in the crease. He has a nice heavy shot on the offensive blueline. He brings a wealth of experience playing both in the Premier and Elite Divisions. He will be a strong asset to the Lakers.

Nosar had quite a few college options and quite frankly has another year of junior eligibility. However, he was determined to start his college career and play for the Roosevelt Lakers. Indeed, he is very excited about playing for Roosevelt’s head coach Billy Karr. Coach Karr is a very experienced college coach with a proven track record. At Roosevelt, Stepan will be joining Eels alumni Darryl Smith and Nick Kotz.

We wish Stepan the very best and he will continue a long line and legacy of Florida Eels commitments

The Florida Eels Defensemen Grant Miner Signs with Eastern Kentucky University

Grant Miner played one and a half seasons – 46 games – with the Florida Eels Elite team before being advanced to the Motor City Hockey Club Premier team this season for 8 games. Miner at 6’1 176 LBS. from O’Fallon, IL, brought considerable enthusiasm and zeal to the Florida Eels team and fellow players. His two seasons at juniors will boast him well preparing him for the college game. The Eels scouted Grant at the Americas Showcase 3 years ago which was the USA Hockey All Star Showcase for the top high school players in the USA. We were glad we brought him in. This forum did him well and opened up the opportunity for Grant to develop his skills and fortitude to advance to play college hockey. The Eels are thrilled to be a part of helping him realize his dream and goal of playing college hockey.

Grant is a 2002 and although he has 2 more seasons of junior eligibility, he feels confident and ready to make the move to college hockey. He moves the puck well and his skating skills will support his goal. He likes to play a physical style of play and he uses his size to that end. He has good vision and plays with a high compete level.

Grant was so excited to select Eastern Kentucky University and its ACHA team as his home for the next 4 years. He had a number of options and talked with several colleges but UKU just felt right. Miner had been recruited by EKU Coach Joel Cormier and liked what he had to say, and his decision was sealed when Grant and his family visited the campus. Coach Cormier style and coaching philosophy was exactly what Grant was seeking for his future. Miner’s commitment marks the Eels 264 player advancing on to college hockey.

We wish Grant the best of luck in his future.