The Florida Eels Elite officially wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign on Saturday, March 15th, 2026, following two fiercely contested battles in the USPHL Florida Divisional Playoffs. While the season came to an end on the scoreboard, the impact of this team, their growth, and the brotherhood formed throughout the year will echo far beyond the final buzzer.
The journey began back in mid-August when the Eels Elite reported to the Fort Myers Skatium for a demanding two and half week training camp. From day one, the standard was clear: commitment, discipline, and relentless worth ethic. Players trained five hours a day, five days a week, pushing themselves physically and mentally while learning the systems, structure, and championship culture that define the Florida Eels organization.
This year’s Elite roster was true international brotherhood. Players traveled from across the globe to chase the same dream, representing places such as Bulgaria, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, Alaska, and Australia as well as across the of the mainland of the United States. Despite their different backgrounds, cultures, and hometowns, they quickly became one unified family. Long practices, tough games, road trips and the grind of a full junior hockey season forged bonds that will last a lifetime.
Throughout the season, the Eels Elite competed in three highly competitive showcases while battling through a demanding regular-season schedule. Every shift, every game and every mile traveled strengthened the resolve of a team determined to represent the Eels crest with pride.
The organization would be remiss not to extend its deepest gratitude to the incredible families, friends, billets, and fans who supported the Eels Elite all season long. Sending your athlete away from home to pursue their dream takes tremendous trust. To the families who entrusted us with your players-thank you. Your belief in this program and these young men is what makes junior hockey so special.
Within the Florida Eels organization, the mission has always been about far more than wins and losses. While player development on the ice remains a priority, developing character, leadership, and lifelong relationships is the true foundation of the program. This season’s roster reflected that perfectly, featuring a blend of seasoned veterans with five years of junior experience alongside rookies stepping into the junior ranks for the first time.
The character of this team never wavered. Through adversity, travel, injuries, and the intensity of the season, the players continued to support one another and represent the organization with class.
To the players aging out of the program this year, your time with the Eels has left a lasting mark on the organization. We are incredibly proud of you and excited to watch the next chapters of your lives and careers unfold. Once and Eel, always and Eel.
The playoff result may not have been the ending the team envisioned, but let the message ring loud and clear: There are no losers in the Florida Eels organization.
What this team accomplished cannot be measured by a scoreboard. The sacrifices made, the memories created, the brotherhood formed, and the lessons learned will remain embedded in the DNA of the program forever.
The Florida Eels are extremely grateful and thankful for the Eels Elite players, staff and supporters for an unforgettable season.
Gentlemen-it has truly been an honor to watch you this season.
Written by: Nikki Scarpaci Fliss
