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The Florida Eels are thrilled to announce the signing of 2002 veteran all-star defensemen Alexander Patrikeyev from Chelyabinsk Russia. He played the last two seasons for HK Bryansk U18. Previously he played for Mechel Chelyabinsk U17 and Dizel Penza U16. At 6’3” Patrikeyev has size and makes his physical presence known while on the ice. Alexander has very strong skill set. Excellent skater with explosive speed. Very good puck control sees the puck very well. Has a lethal shot. A consummate offensive threat on the blueline.

Alexander is an extremely dedicated and determined young man. Has an insatiable appetite to win. High compete level. Prides himself in winning his battles. Unwavering commitment to be at the top. Incredible work ethic. European and Russian scouting is very high on Patrikeyev . A real team guy who puts the desire and hunger to win into action. He is very excited to join the Eels and to continue the Eels rich legacy of Russian players being an integral part of the Eels culture. We welcome him to the Eels family.

The Florida Eels are very excited to announce the  re-signing of 6’0″ ” 160 lbs. veteran forward Gage Dill from Fort Myers Florida. Gage is one of those unique  homegrown Florida players. He is a 3-year veteran of junior hockey in the USPHL. He has exceptional skill set. Outstanding skater. Explosive speed. Incredible hands. He is a gifted goal scorer with sharp eyes that can thread the needle. He has a very high hockey IQ.  Plays with a high compete level. An unwavering dedication and determination.  His peripheral vision makes him one of the best set up players in juniors.

In 127 games he scored 61 goals and notched 98 assists for a total of 159 points for an impressive 1.26 points per game. That says it all: He is a consummate competitor. He brings everything to the game and to practices. An incredible work ethic. Last year he was a large reason why the Eels Premier team held first place for the entire season winning the regular season Florida Division title, sweeping the Florida Division playoffs and advancing to the USPHL Nationals. This young man echoes he has a job to complete and that is winning a National Title. We are very thrilled to have Gage back this season.

The Florida Eels are excited to announce the signing of veteran 2000 forward 6’ 2” 200 lbs. Pablo Palos from Dallas Texas to its junior program. Pablos will add depth and experience to its line up having played juniors last season for the Gillette Wild and previously for the North American Prospects League NAHPL. He comes with a determined mind set to bring his game to the Next Level. His focus is to play college hockey. He has solid skill set and uses his size and physical presence in his game. That is why he came to the Eels. He is a player with strong character and commitment to win.

Pablo is a team player. He knows that is the way you win. Team first. He has a great attitude to go with his determination. He is very excited to join the Eels who enjoy so much respect in junior hockey and within the college coaches community. His experience playing juniors and in the NAHPL will help bring depth to the Eels program. No doubt the Eels are looking to continue in their winning ways. Last year both teams finished in First Place in the tough Florida Division.
We welcome Palos to our Eels program.

The Florida Eels are excited to announce the signing of veteran forward Zach Russell.
Like many of the high-end players we get, Zach is from Broomfield, Colorado. Russell is a dynamic two way forward with two years of junior hockey experience from the NA3HL with the Jr. Stars. We have been pursuing him for two years after we first spotted him in the Colorado CCM showcase, and after two seasons he has decided to trade in his old set of white black and green jerseys for better-looking Eels jerseys. Zach is fast and crafty with the puck but is also feisty when it comes to puck battles and the corners. Last season Zach had 8 goals 14 assists and 104 penalty minutes in a physically tough league. Zach is 5’9″ 150lbs but plays like he is 6’5″.
Zach has a high hockey IQ and plays with high compete level. He plays with a lot of energy and very aggressive on the fore-check. We believe that as a veteran, Zach will make an enormous impact this season. We expect him to contribute to the Eels’ success, and as he continues to develop this season from our rigorous training, we believe that he become a college-ready hockey player. We are excited Zach will be joining the Eels family.

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.