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Get ready, hockey fans — the battle for Florida supremacy is on! The Inaugural USPHL Florida Cup, held in Fort Myers, is here, bringing together the top USPHL Premier and Elite teams from across the Sunshine State for an all-out, tournament-style showcase of speed, skill, and grit.

Since its conception, the Florida Eels have proudly held the Premier Division title, setting the standard for excellence on the ice. The Eels Elite claimed the Cup for the first two years before the Tampa Bay Juniors captured it last season — but this year, the competition is fiercer than ever.

Representing Florida’s powerhouse programs, the Florida Eels (Fort Myers), Florida Jr. Blades (Estero), Palm Beach Typhoon (Palm Beach), and the newcomers — the Jr. Cats (Coral Springs) — will face off for the right to be crowned Florida Cup Champion.

Who will rise to the challenge?
Who will claim the Cup?

The ice is set, the stakes are high, and only one team will lift the trophy!

Premier Recap:

Florida Eels Premier hit the ice on Saturday, October 11^th, 2025 at 4:15 pm to take on the Hampton Roads Whalers. Adam Henges back in the net for the Eels, the guys lined up at center ice. Both of the Florida Eels and the Hampton Roads Whalers played a highly defensive game with impressive goaltending between the pipes. At the end of the first period the Eels and the Hampton Roads Whalers remained deadlock with a scoreless game. The game was filled with action, large hits, and breakaway opportunities. After an impressive 35 minutes of back and forth action, impressive defensive skills on both sides and a scoreless score board, Hampton Roads Whalers grabbed their first of three goals on the Florida Eels at 8:42 in the second period. The Whalers scored two subsequent goals, at 13:12 in the second period and 17:32 in second period. Hampton Roads Whalers claimed a 3-0 victory over the Florida Eels Premier, but the Eels worked every last minute of the game.

 

Elite Recap:

Florida Eels Elite stepped back on the ice Saturday, October 11^th, 2025 at 8:00 am, to take on the Hampton Roads Whalers Elite. After claiming two victories so far in the Southeast Showcase, would they be able to pull off another win against the Whalers, or would the Whaler walk away with the first win against the Eels this weekend? With Stuart Heckathrone between the pipes, the Eels lined up at center ice to start the game.

It was Eels Brantlee Hoffman, assisted by Paxton Campbell and Nikita Shchevyev, claimed the first goal of the game, at 4:18 in the first. Hampton Roads Whalers were desperate to place the puck in the net to tie the game, and Stuart Heckathorne, blocked everything that came his way. At the end of the first period the Eels head the lead, 1-0 over the Hampton Roads Whalers.

The start of the second period, the Hampton Roads Whalers continued to try to score a tying to gain a goal, Stuart Heckathorne continued to dominate the home net for the Eels. At 13:21 in the second period, it was Florida Eels Paxton Campbell, assisted by Jackson Carnes, who scored the second and final goal of the game. The Eels claimed a 2-0 victory over the Hampton Roads Whalers.

Both the Florida Eels Premier and Elite will head on the ice tomorrow Sunday, October 12^th, 2025 for their final games of the showcase before heading back to Florida.

Florida Eels Premier Recap:

Florida Eels Premier split their opening day at the Southeast Showcase in Morrisville, North Carolina on Friday, October 10^th, 2025. Eels Premier opened their weekend debut at 8:00 am as they faced their cross town rivals the Florida Jr. Blades. After a disappointing loss to the Jr. Blades earlier in the week, the Eels were fired and ready to set the record straight and claim the win against the Jr. Blades in Friday’s rematch. Eels goaltender second year veteran, and newcomer to the Premier team, Bulgarian native Filip Vitanov between the pipes ready for action the game started and the battle was on, who was going to win?

It was Eels second year veteran Blake Becker, assisted by Yiorgos Bikakis and Seth Morris, who found the back of the net first at 1:14 in the first period, securing a 1-0 lead over the Jr. Blades. The Jr. Blades, were quick to respond at 1:29 in the first tying up the game 1-1. However, Eels Brady Gedman, assisted by Gino Indelicato and Sixten Gidlund, who pushed the Eels into the lead again grabbing the Eels second goal at 5:08 in the first. Eels Luca Hobbs, assisted by Spencer Hambling, propelled the Eels ahead again claiming the Eels third goal of the game at 13:35 in the first period. The Eels closed the first period leading 3-1 over the Jr. Blades.

The Eels would not take their foot off the gas pedal, and in the second period grabbed two more goals in their favor. It was Eels Carmen D’Ambrosio, assisted by Luca Hobbs and Xavier Charron who grabbed goal four for the Eels. Followed shortly after by Eels Gino Indelicato, assisted by Oliver Melynchuk and Sixten Gidlund, who secured the fifth and final goal for the Eels at 9:55 in the second. The Eels had claimed a 5-1 victory over their cross town rivals.

The Florida Eels stepped back on the ice Friday evening at 6:00 pm as they took on the Charlotte Rush in their second game of the showcase. Adam Henges between the pipes the Eels lined up at center ice and the game began. The Eels and the Rush, played a heavy defensive game battling to take the first point of the game. It was the Charlotte Rush who claimed the first and only goal of the first period at 8:03 in the first. The Eels continued to put shots on goal, but were unable to place on beyond the Rush’s goaltender. In the second period, the Rush claimed their second and the only goal of the second period at 11:13 in the game. The Eels continued to make impressive plays and continued to play a very defensive game, but sadly feel short 2-0 against the Charlotte Rush.

Florida Eels Elite Recap

Florida Eels Elite pull off a double win to open their Southeast Showcase appearance on October 10^th, 2025. The Eels Elite first faced off against the Potomac Patriots on Friday morning at 10:30 am in Morrisville, North Carolina. Adeel Kara opened the game between the pipes, for the Florida Eels. The Potomac Patriots secured the first point of the game at 14:51 in the first period, and closed the first period maintaining a 4-0 lead over the Florida Eels. However, the Eels would not come back out in the second period uncontested. With Stuart Heckathorne, now between the pipes for the Eels, it was Austin Kessel, assisted by Paxton Campbell, who grabbed the Eels first goal for the Eels at 1:19 in the second period. Nikita Shchevyev , assisted by Lybombir Anev and Dominick Dantona, grabbed his first of two impressive goals at 1:53 in the second cutting the Patriots four goal lead in half. Bulgarian native and Eels newcomer, Lybomir Anev, assisted by Nikita Shchevyev and Hugo Skarin, chomped away at the heels of the Patriots players as he placed the Eels third goal of the game at 7:25 in the second period. Now trailing by one, the Eels continued to battle each play, each shift to tie up the game and gain a victory over the patriots. With 3 seconds left in regulation, it second year veteran Paxton Campbell, assisted by William “Billy” Torrone and Brantlee Hoffman, who put the puck in the net for the Eels securing 4-4 tie. As the buzzer went out, the Eels were now heading into overtime with the Potomac Patriots. The Eels and Patriots ready to claim their victory, each lined up at center ice ready to put the puck in the basket one more time. It was Eels Nikita Shchevyev, assisted by goaltender Stuart Heckathorne, who scored his second and Eels game winning goal at 3:21 in the overtime. Eels secured their first win of the Showcase!

Eels Elite stepped back on the ice on Friday, October 10^th 2025 at 4:30pm as they now were set to face off against the Charlotte Rush for the first time this season. Ethan Gabler between the pipes for the Eels, the puck was dropped starting the match. It was Eels Noah Ellington, assited by Kaleb Freyman and Paxton Campbell, who drew first blood in the game-grabbing the first and only goal of the first period at 1:50. With the Eels ahead 1-0 over the Rush, the second period opened for action. The Rush continued to pepper the net, as they tried to gain a point to tie up the game. However, it was Eels Gavin Mesiner, unassisted, who scored propelling the Eels to a 2-0 lead over the Rush at 1:59 in the second period. The Rush refused to roll over and continued to battle, securing two quick goals at 17:50 and 19:29 in the second period. The Eels Elite and the Charlotte Rush were now tied 2-2. Would we have a repeat of the earlier game with the Potomac Patriots? Would the Eels be forced into another overtime. Hugo Skarin, assisted by Gavin Meisner, said NO! Skarin, assisted by Meisner grabbed the Eels game winning goal at 19:34 in the second period. The Eels gaining a 3-2 victory over the Charlotte Rush and their second victory of the showcase.

Player Spotlight: Dominick Dantona

The Florida Eels are thrilled to spotlight Dominick Dantona, returning for his second season with the Elite team. Dantona wasted no time making his presence known, kicking off the home opener with one goal and three assists against Bold City, setting the tone for an explosive start to the season.

He carried that momentum right into the weekend, coming out blazing against the Palm Beach Typhoon, where he notched two goals and an assist in Saturday’s matchup. The Eels are proud to have Dantona back in the lineup this year and look forward to seeing him continue to light up the scoreboard all season long.

The Florida Eels Development Camp is officially underway — and Day 1 did not disappoint.

Veteran Eels players, college alumni, and rising prospects laced up their skates and hit the ice with purpose as the 2025 Development Camp kicked off with energy, focus, and grit. From the opening whistle, the intensity was high. Players were pushed, challenged, and tested — and they embraced every second of it.

“We have our work ahead of us but it was good to get out there,” said one returning Premier veteran. “The pace, the structure, the compete level — it’s exactly what you want to get back into gear.”

This year’s camp, running July 7–11, is more than just a tune-up: It’s a proving ground. Coaches and Eels staff watched closely as players fought for every puck and earned every rep. Veteran, alumni or prospect one thing was clear the guys were all about setting the tone for their season ahead.

“The guys were hungry,” said an Eels staff member. “They didn’t ease into camp — they attacked it. That’s the Eels way.”

The return to the rink sparked a wave of excitement. After a summer of training, rest, and reflection, being back in Fort Myers — back on Eels ice — brings new life to the locker room and renewed hunger for the season ahead. Returning players are buzzing with excitement about the upcoming season and have been in communication over the off season about their goals.

With waves of returning veterans and new blood ready to take the ice, one thing is clear: the Florida Eels are already dialed in for the 2025–26 season. And if Day 1 of this summer skate is any indication of what’s to come, fans are in for something special.

Stay tuned — the grind has just begun.

 

Other Upcoming Eels Events:

Senior Chowder Cup 

July 16th-20th, 2025

Massachusetts

*Limited Spots available, for forwards and defensemen, contact us to reserve your spot immediately

Junior Chowder Cup

July 23rd-27th, 2025

Massachusetts

*Limited Spots available, for forwards and defensemen, contact us to reserve your spot immediately

When you talk about the Florida Eels Junior Hockey Program, one thing stands out loud and clear: we produce goal scorers.

Year after year, the Eels’ offensive talent lights up the league — and our history proves it. On the Premier side, the torch has been passed from legends like, Demeed Podrezov, Adam Guadet, Jared Figeroua, to high-octane talents like Taurin Haddon-Harris, Noah Trathen, Colin Patterson  and most recently, Anthony Zebley. These names didn’t just lead the Eels — they dominated the USPHL, racking up points and creating nightmares for opposing defenses.

Over in Elite, the firepower has been just as potent. Zayn Haddon-Harris, Fynn O’Neil, Jake Court, Kaleb Harrop, Lorenzo Marchetta, and Mikhail Melikov have each made their mark, delivering consistent, clutch performances and keeping the Eels at the top of the Florida Division.

And now, as we gear up for the 2025-2026 season, the question looms — who’s next?

Will a battle-tested veteran returnee step up and claim the scoring crown? Or will a hungry newcomer arrive ready to take the league by storm?

As usual the Eels roster is stacked with skill, speed, and experience. The offensive line up is deep we have players who’ve been here, who’ve built chemistry, and who know exactly what it takes to be #1. BUT don’t count out the new wave — incoming talent is bringing energy, edge, and a mission to make their mark from day one.

Whether it’s Premier or Elite, we’ve got a deep bench loaded with snipers, playmakers, and all-around offensive threats. From returning leaders hungry for more, to rising rookies determined to earn their spotlight — the race for the scoring title is wide open. The energy this season will be electric and something Eels fans new and old will not want to miss!

One team. Two divisions. Countless scoring threats. One question:

Who will wear the scoring crown in 2025-2026?

The Florida Eels Junior Hockey Program has firmly established itself as a powerhouse in U.S. junior hockey, boasting a tradition of excellence, elite player development, and a track record of success that ranks among the best in the nation. Based in Fort Myers, Florida, the Eels have consistently raised the bar, shaping the future of young athletes and preparing them for collegiate and professional careers. With its most recent praise appearing with The Hockey Review, where the Florida Eels were rated as a top program, receiving an A.

The Hockey Review looks over programs, scaling them according to their overall programs and the Eels, to no surprise received an excellent score. With over 22 seasons of competitive junior hockey, the Eels are one of the most successful and enduring programs in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). Their teams regularly finish at the top of the standings, making deep playoff runs and earning national recognition. The Premier and Elite teams have reached the USPHL National Championships multiple times, showcasing the depth and consistency of the program.

In recent seasons, both squads have ranked among the top-tier teams nationally, a testament to the coaching, development model, and relentless work ethic embedded in the organization.

What truly sets the Florida Eels apart is their commitment to developing players both on and off the ice. The program is renowned for its college placement success, with over 370 players advancing to NCAA and ACHA college hockey programs. That figure continues to grow annually, reflecting the Eels’ dedication to helping players reach the next level.

With a full-time staff of experienced coaches, including former college and professional players, the Eels offer high end training in a competitive environment. The coaching staff emphasizes a holistic approach, focusing not only on hockey IQ and skills but also character, discipline, and academic readiness.

The Florida Eels have built a respected brand in the world of junior hockey. Regularly ranked in national polls and featured in USPHL media, the organization is known for its professionalism, consistency, and dedication to excellence. The program draws talent from across North America and Europe, and scouts from colleges and junior leagues consistently keep an eye on the Eels for rising stars.

Their reputation extends beyond performance. The Eels are also known for their involvement in the community, hosting youth clinics, engaging with local schools, and promoting a culture of giving back.

As the Florida Eels continue to grow and evolve, their mission remains clear: to be the best developmental platform in junior hockey. With a track record of success, a proven commitment to player advancement, and a relentless drive to compete at the highest level, the Florida Eels are not just a hockey team—they are a launching pad for future success.

For young athletes with big dreams, the Florida Eels are more than a destination—they’re a journey to greatness.

If you are looking for opportunities to join the Eels in their success, please be sure to reach out to the Florida Eels General Manager Frank Scarpaci 941-400-9023, gm@floridaeelsjrhockey.com, or the Eels Head Premier Coach and Assistant General Manager Frank “Frankie” Scarpaci at 239-728-1223, coachscarpaci@floridaeelsjrhockey.com, to discuss your future opportunites.

Upcoming Events to Participate with the Florida Eels:

Florida Eels Junior Development Camp:

Date: July 7^th-11^th

Location: Fort Myers Skatium

Ages: Birth Years 2009-2002

Cost: $275

To Register: Call Clare 941-400-0712 or email clare@floridaeelsjrhockey.com

This opportunity allows for players of Midget, Junior and College hockey to dust off the summer rust and prepare for next hockey season. This development camp is open to players who want to hone their skills, develop their skills to the next level and hope to hit the ice with fire this upcoming Fall.

Senior Chowder Cup:

Date: July 16^th-20^th

Location: Greater Boston Area, Massachusetts

Ages: 2005-2009

Cost: $400

To Register: https://floridajreels.sportngin.com/register/form/911047917

This opportunity is open to all 2005-2009 Forwards and Defensemen (no goalie spots available at this time), who want to showcase their skills in front of top tier junior programs and college coaches in the New England area. This provides immense exposure for players and allows them to play for our coaching staff.

Junior Chowder Cup:

Date: July 23^rd-27^th

Location: Greater Boston Area

Ages: 2009-2010

Cost: $400

To Register: https://floridajreels.sportngin.com/register/form/646167030

This opportunity is open to all 2005-2009 Forwards and Defensemen (no goalie spots available at this time), who want to showcase their skills in front of top tier junior programs and prep school coaches in the New England area. This provides immense exposure for players and allows them to play for our coaching staff.