The Florida Eels are thrilled that three of our esteemed alumni—Gage Dill and Taurin Haddon-Harris of Curry College, along with Collin Patterson of Utica University—have earned their place in the prestigious College Frozen Four! This is the pinnacle of collegiate hockey, where the best of the best battle for the ultimate championship title.
Dill, Haddon-Harris, and Patterson were nothing short of powerhouse forwards during their time with the Florida Eels, leaving an indelible mark under the leadership of Coach Frankie Scarpaci. Coach Frankie states, “it’s truly impressive the last 3 years we’ve had someone in the Frozen Four: Adrian College, Casey Gerstein (2021-2022 Alumni) last season, and Ayo Adeniye (2015-2016 Alumni) the two years prior-including a National Championship in 2022. Now this season with Dill, Haddon-Harris, and Patterson, it’s a true testament to our development and their work ethic. Truly proud of each of these guys. Always proud of my guys.” Their relentless drive, exceptional skill, and unwavering commitment to the game made them fan favorites and undeniable forces on the ice. Dill, Haddon- Harris, and Patterson still sitting among the Eels record holders in points. They now, continue their dominance at the collegiate level, lighting up the scoreboard and proving that the Eels’ legacy extends far beyond junior hockey.
Former four-year Eels veteran, Gage Dill states playing “under Coach Frankie gave us the freedom to play our own style which in turn gave a lot of us confidence with the puck.” Dill says this is emulated at the collegiate level under his current coach’s leadership, “at Curry, our Head Coach Peter Roundy gives us the same freedom. The past three years have been some of the best times of my life and I am super grateful to be a Colonel. [I am] extremely fortunate that I’m able to receive a great education while also having the ability to compete for a National Championship every year.” Gage reported that during his college experience, he continues to get to play against other Florida Eels Alumni like Spencer Carpenter at Anna Maria, and looks forward to seeing his former linemate Patterson -who he will face off against in the Frozen Four, “It will be great to see Collin and play against him in this tournament. The Eels were such an incredible experience for my family and I. The development within the program absolutely got me to the level that I needed to be for college hockey. Having a family run program like the Eels made it feel like home, and they always want the absolute best for their players. Frank Scarpaci’s main goal when you go to the Eels program is to get you to the highest level of hockey possible. Having THREE Eels playing in the Frozen Four shows the determination and hard work everyone in that organization puts in.”
Eels three-year veteran Alumni Collin Patterson, states that “my time with the Eels definitely prepared me to play college hockey. The coaching staff, [lead by Frankie Scarpaci] did a great job of preparing us physically and mentally to be able to play at this next level. Their dedication to each player and their knack for player development is unparalleled. Coach Frankie provided us with countless opportunities to improve our game on and off the ice. They also harped on team chemistry, and taught us the importance of being bought-in and dedicated to team success. The Eels do a good job of teaching guys how to improve in every aspect of the game.” Collin credits his success to his family, particularly “my mom and dad for their endless support throughout my entire hockey career, as well as the Eels General Manager FraFnk Scarpaci, for everything he has done behind the scenes for me and the rest of his players.” Of course, Patterson who continues his humble nature from his days on the ice with the Eels, knows deep down that none of this success is possible without Patterson’s own passion, dedication and grit on and off the ice. “Playing college hockey is what I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember. I’ve had the chance to play alongside a lot of great players and people. Its brought a lot great friendships and memories.” Patterson is thankful for the group he plays alongside to battle for the championship title, “It’s certainly been an honor to part of such a special group. It’s been a great experience. A lot of hard work and preparation, and belief in one another to get to this point. We are all super excited to have achieved this milestone and to be able to host the event.”
Eels former Captain and two-year veteran, Taurin Haddon-Harris, is excited for the Frozen Four Championship, “it’s been a challenging and rewarding season. The team has worked incredibly hard and making it to the Frozen Four is a huge accomplishment. The grind, the commitment and the trust in each other has really paid off. Jobs not done though.” Haddon-Harris states that he is thankful for the support of his teammates, his former Coaches at the Eels, and current coach, Coach Roundy who “have played a big role in pushing [him] to be better every day.” Taurin says that Coach Frankie of the Eels, “really allowed me to become the player I am with all the tools,” to be successful on the ice in college, “the Eels really helped me develop both psychically and mentally. [Their] coaching staff, the competitions, and [their] expectations really set me up to transition into the college game. They truly care about their players as both athletes and people. They push you hard but also make sure you’re developing the right habits to succeed. At the next level. The family mindset really stands apart when they coach their teams, which ties into their own success they have had over the years. Their will to win and strong culture bleeds into everything they do,” we carry that with us. Haddon-Harris states, it’s really cool to play against former players of the Eels throughout the season, and looks forward to playing against his former teammate of two seasons, “Patty (Patterson) this Friday, it will be fun to battle against him.” Haddon-Harris is excited to get on the ice for the championship tournament, where he will continue to demonstrate his strong presence and skill. He is extremely grateful for his time with the Florida Eels organization, “the coaching, development and family aspect of the Eels is unmatched,” and will continue to represent the program with pride as he battles for the title.
Seeing these former Eels excel on the national stage is a testament to the overall development program that the Florida Eels pride themselves on. Dill states “Coach Frankie and Coach Frank are definitely two of the best coaches I’ve experienced in my hockey career. The Scarpaci’s brought me into the program and developed me at the Elite level as well as the Premier! One thing I love about the Scarpaci’s is that they were always there for us whenever we needed it. They treat all of their players like family and always had our backs in any situation. On and off the ice, Frankie is all about competitiveness, having us work as hard as we possibly can, and developed us all, and that is a big reason why you will see three former Eels competing in the championships.” It’s not just about building great players—it’s about shaping champions. Dill, Haddon-Harris, and Patterson embody the hard work, dedication, and passion that define our organization, and we couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.
As they prepare to take the ice in the Frozen Four, the entire Florida Eels family is rallying behind them. We know they’ll bring the same fire and determination they displayed here in Florida to the biggest games of their collegiate careers.
Let’s go, Gage! Let’s go, Taurin! Let’s go, Collin! The Florida Eels are behind you all the way—bring home that championship!
