Florida Eels are excited to announce the college commitment of Premier Defensemen Brayden Goddard to University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for the 2024-2025 season. Goddard a three-year USPHL veteran began his junior career with the Midwest Blackbirds in 2021, before joining the Florida Eels in 2022. As a powerhouse defenseman for the Eels Goddard earned the title of Assistant Captain for the 2023-2024 season. Goddard played in in 110 games, secured 22 goals, 55 assists and a total of 77 points during his junior career, and now moves onto start his college hockey journey.
The Vancouver, Washington native plans to make the journey to the east coast this fall to attend the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth where he plans to study business. Goddard states, “I have always been very keen of UMass Dartmouth. They have a very beautiful school, a very impressive level of education. It also has a very promising hockey program, with a great coaching staff.” Goddard is excited to join the university and help lead the hockey program to future successes like he has done for the Eels. Goddard will join fellow Alumni, Collin Patterson at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Goddard has loved living in sunny Florida and is very thankful for his time with the Florida Eels program, “I loved everything about the Eels, the support system is unbelievable, the coaching staff is so smart and make it easy to learn something new everyday, and they teach us a lot about being better people and improving as individuals both on and off the ice.” Leader of the Eels Goddard, took pride in participating in community events, such a fan meet and greets and helping the local community after the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian. Goddard, new to the area of Florida, embraced the local community as his own and wanted to help. It was this type of thing that helped Goddard thrive as a leader for the Premier team.
Brayden attributes his ability to grow and develop as a player, and his successes to the support he received from his family. Goddard states, “without the support of my parents, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to explore different parts of the country, meet the amazing people I’ve met, and have the ability to get in contact with colleges and coaches. They’ve been supportive of every decision I’ve made and are truly the main reason I am where I am.” Goddard’s strong family support has been a driving force in his hockey career and will continue to guide him as he heads to the east coast for college.
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is gaining a strong leader and character player to their school and hockey organization. The Florida Eels are extremely proud of Brayden and all his achievements, and know he will continue to represent the organization as a proud Eels Alumni.
