The Florida Eels are extremely excited to announce that veteran defensemen Gage McNeish 2001 has Re-Signed with its Premier team for the 2020-21 season. McNeish 5’11’ 165 lbs. comes from Summerville, SC McNeish is a 3 year veteran with the Eels as he started back midseason in 2017-18. Gage came to the Eels as a top defensive prospect. He played U16 Midget AA hockey with the Charlotte Jr. Checkers in the EJEPL and High School back at home before moving on to play Tier I AAA in the ECEL and the NAPHL when Florida Eels General Manager Frank Scarpaci recruited him to join the Eels Elite squad.
What was essentially his first full season with the Eels back in 2018-19, McNeish was named Captain of the Eels Elite squad. That was very impressive as he was really still a rookie and to bestowed with Captain showed maturity and leadership skills on his part and the confidence that the coaches had in him. . Moreover, in his first 14 games he scored 3 goals and notched 13 assists and was advanced to the Premier team where in the 30 remaining games, he scored 3 more goals and garnered 11 more assisted. Very impressive in his first full year for 6 goals and 21 assists. Last season in 44 games, Gage scored 2 more goals and 13 assists. This past season the coaches called upon Gage to take on a larger defensive responsibility. The Eels had some holes on the backend of the blueline and Gage knew he had to sure up things in the D Zone. He was one of the Eels most reliable defensive defensemen. His experience and leadership spoke volumes in the teams very successful season where he played a large part in his Premier team’s winning the Florida Division Regular season Championship -20 points ahead of the 2nd place team, and them winning the playoffs and advancing to Nationals. He also was key in the Eels defeating many of the top Premier teams in the Northeast, New England, Atlantic, Midwest and Southeast Divisions.
Eels Premier Coach Frank Scarpaci says McNeish has excellent skill set. Has a very high hockey IQ. Plays with an extremely high compete level. He has an unwavering commitment to win. Very determined young man. He plays very well in all 3 zones. He is very steady and reliable. Great on special teams, be it powerplay and penalty kill. Has a nice shot that gets through to opposing goalies. This is a high character individual. Last season he was selected once again to a leader role on the team. Assistant Captain. He is one of our most dedicated players. We are thrilled to have him back. He will without doubt push this team to its ultimate mission: Win a National Championship.
