Florida Eels are preparing for two major college showcases:  the USPHL Estero Florida College Showcase, December 20^th-22^nd and the USPHL Tampa Showcase, January 3-5^th 2025 where players will have a prime opportunity to be seen and scouted by the some of the top college programs, and coaches across North America. It is no secret that the Florida Eels have made their presence known in the NCAA, ACHA, AAU and Canadian Collegiate Divisions, as 365 Eels Alumni have advanced to the collegiate level. This year Eels players prepare to showcase their talents in front of top college programs, and face off against teams such as: the Charlotte Rush, the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, the Northern Cyclones, the Potomac Patriots, at the Estero Showcase; and the Red River Spartans (Nashville) the Metro Jets, the Toledo Cherokee, and the Minnesota Squatch during the College Showcase in Tampa.

The Florida Eels continue to engage in their rigorous daily training, that began in Mid-August, in preparation for the schedule ahead. Eels coaching staff scour hours of game footage, and plays to help players gain an additional advantage when they hit the ice on Friday, December 20^th. Coaching staff, continue to press the Eels motto, “one game, one period, one shift at a time.” It is a motto that has worked, for many years, and many Eels Alumni to help them reach their goals of advancing not only through the regular season, but through the USPHL Florida Divisional Playoffs, through Nationals and onto the Collegiate realm.

Eels Alumni can be found far and wide across North America, as players from the Eels have infiltrated the market. With a yearly average of 15 players advancing to the collegiate level, it is quite often you will see Eels Alumni tearing up the ice at the College level. With past generations such as Ayodele Adeniye (2015-2016) showcasing at Adrian College, Crossley Stewart (2020-2021) showcasing at Rochester Institute of Technology, to more recent alumni Gage Dill (2018-2022) showcasing at Curry College gaining recognition of Rookie of the Year, Damon Kiyawasew (2021-2022) showcasing at Rivier University gaining recognition of Rookie of the Year or Collin Patterson (2020-2023) showcasing at UMass Dartmouth also gaining recognition of Rookie of the Year. However, the Eels list of former top scorers, captains or assistant captains marks on the collegiate level don’t end there: Former Eels Captain Taurin Haddon-Harris (2021-2022) additionally makes a splash at Curry College. Eels goal scorer, Noah Trathen (2021-2024) lands at UMass Dartmouth, along with Eels former Assistant Captain and Defenseman Brayden Goddard (2022-2024). Eels former Assistant Captain Jared Salminen (2022-2024) finds a home along with Eels defensive marksman, Mark Phillips (2021-2024) at Rivier University. Former Eels Captain Easton Moore (2019-2023) lands a leading role at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Whereas, former Eels Assistant Captain and play maker Devin Shepherd (2021-2024), makes his way to the New England area landing a leading spot at Framingham State University.  Eels Power forward Liam Hennessy (2022-2023), joins Bethel University for the 2024-2025 season after staring a season at Rivier University.  Liam a pro type player continues to impress college and pro scouts with his dominate play both in junior and NCAA play. Eels Holden Beckett (2023-2024), splashes into Post University for the 2024-2025 season. Eels goaltending backbone Duncan Rolleman (2021-2023), holds the pipes at Wilkes University. Eels former Captain Maverick Crupi (2021-2024) leads the way at University of Pittsburgh (ACHA) for the 2024. However, the Eels don’t just dominate the American Collegiate Hockey Arena but are making waves in Canada as well as Eels former star goaltender Tresor Wotton (2023-2024) plays for Portage College (ACAC) and former Eels defensemen Dario Zitko, dominates at University of Victoria (BCIHL). The Eels Alumni continue to make waves, and raise eyebrows as they earn top awards for their play and performances in each of their conferences.

What does this have to do with the current Eels you may ask? Well, the formula is the same! Player development and college advancement is always on the minds of all coaches, staff and Eels players. It is the very fiber and fabric that make the Eels unique! Players from day one, whether they start on Premier or Elite undergo the same advanced training techniques further developing their individual and team skills. Current players like Alex Cochran, Teddy Feng, Yiorgos Bikakis, Reid Wilson, Dominic Doyle, even this year’s Captain Anthony Zebley all at one point started out as part of the Eels Elite program. Allowing them to hone, develop and advance their individual player and team skills, and now dominate in the Premier Division. It is often a joke among the Eels, “Once an Eel, always an Eel,” and that is because once you are part of the Eels family that legacy and family continue. Players from years past continue to come back, work with and help teach the player culture, skill and mindset of the organization. To be an Eel is not only to embody the player ability but the character as well. Former players, continue to help coaching staff, or have returned as coaching staff (Scarpaci, Gennello, Miller, Carlson, Sanchez, and Colatarci to name a few) to help further player skill, and knowledge they have gained. This seasons’ group of players continue to put in the work, the dedication and the show the ability to continue all the way. Like the Eels that preceded them, the Eels of the 2024-2025 season, look forward to being able to showcase their talents at the upcoming USPHL Estero Florida College Showcase providing yet another opportunity to be in the direct spotlight for top coaches to see them in action. We look forward to two action packed weekends of hockey. Join us live at Hertz Arena December 20^th-22^nd to watch the Eels or January 3^rd -5^th at Adventhealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, Florida.  Can’t join us live, be sure to join us on FloHockey where you can catch all the game time action.