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.