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The Florida Eels are thrilled to announce the signing of 5’9 180 lbs. veteran USPHL forward Devin Kelly to its junior program for the Fall of 2020.  Devin is from Akron, OH with roots in the Fort Myers community. The Eels have been eying Kelly over the off season and had the pleasure of scouting him at the NCDC Combine in Detroit  Michigan this past weekend. This young man works extremely hard. He takes on the Eels hallmark of intensity fortitude and determination. He does not take a shift off. He has a great attitude. You can tell he is a team player. Many teams had spoken with Kelly at the forum but what very clear in the hallways and recruiting tunnels and coaches’ rooms, Kelly’s focus was all Eels. Indeed, what impressed the Eels coaching staff was even other coaches from the USPHL echoed “he wants to be an Eel”. Moreover, Kelly took the time over the summer to visit with the Eels coaching staff and General Manager Frank Scarpaci in Fort Myers. To check out the program and facility. It was good to see a player do his due diligence and so invested in the place he wants to play his last season of Juniors – the Eels.

 

As a 2000, Kelly is a veteran junior player. He brings experience and depth to the Eels lineup. The experience in playing 2 years of juniors both in the NA3HL and the USPHL and 2 years of AAA Midgets for the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks 16U AAA and the Cleveland Barons 15U AAA will undoubtedly help boaster the Eels already potent lineup. You can never have too much experience.  Kelly has solid skill set and when you combine that with the determination and commitment this young man possesses, it spells success. He is a very enthusiastic individual and you can see it is contagious and that will be great on the bench.  Devin joined the Eels because he knows full well of the Eels’ rich legacy and storied successes. He is looking to move his game to the Next level and where else is that better than with the Eels intense training and player development program. He is looking to play college hockey and he fully appreciates the Eels success in advancing players to that plateau.

 

He is anxious to get the season underway. To help the Eels return to divisional dominance and its goal mission and pathway to Nationals . We welcome Devin to the Eels family.

The United States Premier Hockey League is excited to announce its start dates for the 2020-21 season at all levels. The USPHL Midget and EJEPL Youth seasons will begin on August 28, 2020. The Junior levels will begin play on September 18, with the Tier-2 Tuition-Free National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) beginning play on September 25.

The Florida Eels actually start their play September 19th with away games in Tampa vs the Tampa Juniors and home games September 20th at the Fort Myers Skatium vs cross town rivals the Jr Blades

The following weekend September September 25-27th  the Eels travel to its first major road trip to North Carolina for the Southern Showcase.

The USPHL – at all of its levels – will operate within the laws and guidelines of the Federal government and all State and local regulations.  The USPHL has operated over the summer at multiple locations incorporating heightened health and safety protocols at all levels for players and fans.   The USPHL remains committed to providing a full 2020-21 hockey season.

 

More information on Junior-level schedules will be released in the coming weeks as the USPHL plans for another successful season of moving players on to college. The League saw more than 1,200 alumni of all its Member Organizations playing NCAA hockey in 2019-20, and also saw more than 300 of its own players make NCAA commitments for 2020-21 and beyond. When USPHL players advance to NCAA hockey, they also excel there both academically and athletically. League alumni earned more than 400 conference awards and other immense honors during the 2019-20 season.

The Florida Eels Announce its 258th College Commitment:  Liam Butler to Concordia University Wisconsin ACHA Division  

Butler a 6’2 190 LBS veteran defensemen from  Oak Lawn, IL  He was originally scouted at Global Showcase in Chicago and we knew right away he was player we wanted in the Eels program. He joined the Eels  last season.  He played both on the Eels Premier and Elite teams.

He defined what it is like playing as an Eel.  He had unwavering commitment to himself and the team. He was a team guy in the locker room off ice and in games. Determined to make himself and his teammates that much better. He was one of our hardest workers and extremely dedicated to his task. A consummate competitor.

Liam is a high character young man no doubt through his leadership he helps lead his team to a first-place finish at the end of the season and win their USPHL Florida Division Regular Season Championship. In fact, his team owned first place the entire season and that was no easy task. It was the fruits of his hard work that helped staple that plateau.

In talking with the CUW coaches they were very impressed with his solid skill set. He is a hybrid defenseman who plays solid in the defensive zone, relentless battle in front of his crease and along the boards, denying zone entry  while very active in the transition game and moving the puck out of the zone. His stickhandling skills and skating has allowed him to be a very offensive player when it is needed. He has a heavy shot from the blueline and is an ever threat to scoring.

While playing for the Eels he was very determined to improve his skills. He knew what he wanted. He had his eye on the big package: College Hockey.  To reach those ends, he came early every day, stayed after practice shooting 100+ pucks a day and all to improve his skill set and reach his ultimate goal to play college hockey – which he now realized. He has committed to Concordia University Wisconsin ACHA Division 2 Hockey. We are very proud of him.  This year he attended Hodges University in Fort Myers to prepare him for his next step.

“It is especially nice to see one of our players advance to college and reach his dreams and goals,” said General Manager Frank Scarpaci. “Liam comes from a very supportive family who have made enormous sacrifices to help their son achieve his goals.

 

Liam will join several other Florida Eels alumni who are currently enrolled at CUW and play for the ACHA team. Sean Doyle and Connor Doyle. Also joining Liam from this year’s team  at Concordia is defensive partner  Dylan Tschabold from Switzerland.  CUW was also the home of Premier Head Coach Frank Scarpaci who played for their NCAA Division III team along with Eels alumni Jari Sanders (Former Captain for CUW) NCAA Division III and Eels alumni Joel Stevenson who also played for their NCAA Division III team.  CUW is also the home of Eels alumni Vyctoria Smith. Liam makes number 8 for Eels alumni who attend CUW. We wish Liam the best in his future.

The Florida Eels are thrilled to announce the signing of 6’2” 185 lbs. forward William  Heikkila from Brampton, ON,  William is physically strong and brings that to his game.  He is hard along the boards and makes his opponents pay the price with his presence. He played for Everest Academy for the past 3 seasons. He brings experience and determination to our lineup. He shares the Eels work ethic and that is leaving everything on the ice. He has a tremendous work ethic and relentlessly pursues the forecheck. He has a nice heavy shot and his pucks get to the net.

 

He is a very enthusiastic player and will bring excitement to every shift and in every game. This is a smart young man Has a high hockey IQ Very coachable. We are excited to have him join our Eels family

The Florida Eels are thrilled to announce the signing of  6’2” 176  lbs. veteran defenseman Payton Donica  from Columbus, IN. Last season Payton played in the Midwest Division of the USPHL and brings key experience and depth to the Eels defense. The Eels scouted Donica  at the USPHL Indiana Combine and loved what they saw.  A great character kid and fits perfectly within the Eels framework. He has strong skill set,  a very good skater and has a great vision of the ice.

 

This young man is very impressive in all 3 zones. He is quick to get the puck out of the D Zone whether with quick outlet passes or his transitional move to jump in on the rush. Payton has a nice accurate shot from the blueline and generates sustained and consistent offense. He has a strong hockey IQ and very competitive. He is a determined young man to bring his game to the Next Level. We welcome Payton to the Eels’ family.

The Florida Eels are excited to announce the signing of 5’11” 157 LBS veteran forward Justin Maroszek  from Sylvania, OH, Maroszek is a 2 year veteran of the league. He is a very talented high skilled player. He is a proven goal scorer with an average of 1 point per game. Indeed, last year in 44 games he scored 13 goals and 29 assists for 42 points.  Justin is a strong skater. Has explosive speed. Plays with intestinal fortitude. Hard on the forecheck and equally relentless on his back checking and defensive responsibly.

 

No doubt Justin fits into the Eels culture. A high character individual. He is extremely dedicated and determined and a total team player. He is known for his strong and unwavering work ethic. One of his strongest attributes is he wears opponents down in all 3 ones. A consummate competitor. He has a high hockey IQ. We are thrilled to have Justin part of the Eels family. We welcome him to the Eels organization.

The Florida Eels Coaches are heading the CCM Junior Showcase. Friday July 17-Sunday July 19th. There will be 400+ players showcasing their skillset looking to find spots on junior teams for the 2020-21 playing season. The Eels have signed well over 50 players from this forum over the past 10 seasons. We will be joined this season by some of our alumni who reside in Colorado.

Florida Eels GM Frank Scarpaci will be one of the guest speakers at the players and coaches seminar

The Florida Eels are thrilled to announce the signing of 5’11” 175 LBS defenseman Henry Hoard from Indiana. He played last season for  Westfield Ice Rocks High School of the  Indiana State High School Hockey Association. He is known for his solid work ethic having been playing for over 12 years. Henry has solid skill set. Very good skater. He plays with a high compete level. A high hockey IQ. Henry knows that despite the Eels reputation for explosive and potent offense, they are defense first. In fact, some of our most decorated players have been defenseman. Hoard is looking towards elevating his game to the Next Level. It is the unmatched Eels training and player development that sealed his decision to join the Eels. Where else do you get 3+ hours of training per day.  Moreover, the advancement of 257 players to college is equally key.

 

The Eels  are very excited Henry about joining the Eels family this season.

The Florida Eels are excited to announce the return of Mikhail Melikov. It is without a doubt that Melikov was one of the Eels most valuable players last year. Without question he was one of the USPHL top players.  Melikov is a 2002, 6’0″, and 195 lbs. Last year Melikov played defense for the Eels Elite, where he won Defenseman of the Week countless times, won Player of the Month and was a year end All Star. He came in 10th overall in league scoring, he was 1st for defenseman goals by eight and was the only defenseman in the league to break twenty goals and was one of the youngest players in the league. Additionally, Melikov led the Eels Elite team in scoring by six goals, including playoffs. Stats aside, Melikov’s potential is phenomenal.  For how skilled he is, he actually uses every bit of his frame; he thinks the game at a very high level; high hockey IQ and has the skillset to fulfill what he sees.

 

The Eels coaching staff sees Melikov as a force to be reckoned with. Coach Sanchez echoes, “He is a player that is not only consistent but rises to the occasion. Looking at his stats last year, we can see that he does not just score in games that result in blowouts, but he scores in the games where it takes everything for the team to win. I remind you that he played defense last year and had six game-winning goals… this is an achievement for any player, but it is remarkable for a defenseman. We believe that his success can be attributed to the extra work he puts in.” Premier Coach Frank Scarpaci says, “Melikov is at the rink before practice shooting pucks, and he is there, after the gym every day. He always is asking to do practices with both teams, and he never gets tired of the game. His love for the game and commitment to get better will help set him apart from other players his age as he continues developing.”

 

It is needless to say that we are excited to have Melikov back. We hope that he continues to develop and wreak terror in the league. This year is a big year for Melikov and his development, and we believe the sky is the limit for him.