In an unprecedented move, the Florida Will host two junior Teams in this weekend’s Pro Am NHL Pre Draft Showcase May 4-6th 2012 and another 2 teams in the EJHL

Spring College Showcase May 11-13th 2012.

The Coaching staff has taken a bold move in entering this weekend with 2 junior squads. Coach Scarpaci and his coaches have traveled to St Louis, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo and Wisconsin in search for the best talent available for the Eels Jr Teams.

He has invited 32 new players from his recruiting mission to join 8 of last year’s junior players in the NHL Pre Draft in Boston. We will get a fist hand look at these guys and how they may jell together.

The NHL Pre Draft is one of the most prestigious post-season college and pro showcases in North America. There are approximately 60+ teams competing at this event. Many of the teams have anywhere from 3-11 NHL draft picks and Division I and III NCAA players. Clearly the Eels will be underdogs in this event but there is no better way to gain the rich experience and exposure and visibility this venue offers.

There are no less than 80 scouts at the is event. Many NHL personnel and college scouts. Our players would never get this opportunity otherwise to play in front of this type of crowd so we are so excited about this weekend. The Eels have been fielding teams annually at the NHL Pre Draft for decades but never have we been so fortunate to host 2 teams.

The following week Coach Scarpaci is bringing in another 33 new boys from his recruitment mission to participate in the EJHL Spring College Showcase. Again this is another first for the Florida Eels program taking 2 teams to this most prestigious college showcase. The reception by Jr players looking to join the Eels has been very strong so we want to place these new prospects into these high level EJHL Spring games as another barometer to see how well they can jell and compete. The Eels will again have about 8 of its last year players joining this group.

All participants from our 4 teams realize that we will be playing the best of the best in these showcase games. It is not a matter of winning that is driving us. It is a first hand look and snap shot for the Eels coaches and prospects as to what level they can compete at and to gain the valuable experience while gaining such visibility and exposure opportunities.