Murphy to be a Breakers’ leader in 2010-11

In one month, the Bay State Breakers will be well into practices for their 2010-11 season. What lies beyond the preseason is a mystery, but general manager/head coach David McCauley likes what he sees coming into the start of camp in August.

“We will be bigger and stronger than we were last year, which should help us along the wall and in front of the net,” said McCauley. “I am looking forward to getting started.”

Ben Murphy will enter the season coming off a 22-point campaign in 39 Eastern Junior League games last year, and he will be expected to be a big point producer.

Murphy, a 1991-born resident of Duxbury, Mass., came up from the Catholic Memorial High School powerhouse to join the Breakers for his first season in 2009-10.

With the Breakers’ and the Eastern Junior Hockey League’s record for producing Division 1 hockey players He found the right place to advance his career.

“He has the ability to be a highly effective college hockey player,” said McCauley.

Matt Vidal and James Murphy are two other 1991-born players expected to pile on the points in 2010-11.

Murphy, a resident of Port Jefferson, N. Y., scored 21 points in 39 EJHL games, and Vidal, out of Manorville, N.Y., had 26 points in 42 games.

That trio will help solidify the forward ranks, while McCauley is looking forward to seeing how Nate Brown and Brendan Corcoran perform on the blue line.

Brown, a 1991-born resident of Bethel Park, Pa., skated in 43 games and led the team with 90 minutes in the penalty box and added 11 points.

Corcoran parlayed his 25-point performance on the blue line in 2009- 10 into a Division 1 college scholarship. The 1990-born Milton, Mass., resident is headed for Colgate University in the fall of 2011.

Florida Eels

Eels players put in time on, off ice, all year

The Florida Jr. Eels have been focusing throughout the summer on recruitment of new players for the fall.

This is always a good challenge to face for a junior team, according to Eels general manager/head coach Frank Scarpaci.

“We have been quite successful in our college and Jr. A placement, and that is the purpose of any good Jr. B program,” Scarpaci added. “The movement of players to higher levels facilitates the realization for my players to play college-level hockey.”

The blueprint is simple.

“The key to the Eels’ recruitment is what we offer – the largest and most comprehensive player development program in the Southeast,” Scarpaci added.

The Eels have put together a summer program that mirrors its fall program. Players get three hours of daily on-ice training, along with an intense, rigorous off-ice training program.

“Players work out after ice time for 90 minutes in the training and fitness center. That includes soccer, basketball, volleyball and aerobics,” Scarpaci said. “Then, our players train in the fitness center with weights.”

New recruits are exposed to this program of comprehensive on-and off-ice training. Players also receive SAT training by certified teachers throughout the summer months.

“For prospects, they love what they get,” Scarpaci said. “We then utilize the Junior Chowder Cup, the Pre-Draft and Senior Chowder Cup as forums to showcase their talents.”

It’s not just Florida that is producing Eels players for the 2010-11 season.

“We have a very exciting group of new players coming in, and they’re coming from Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, California, New England, Canada and Latvia,” Scarpaci added.

FLORIDA EELS DIRECTORY
Frank Scarpaci,
Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations
Henry Martinez, Assistant Coach
Don Boyd, Assistant Coach
Ed Dillenschneider, General Manager
Justine Miller, Manager
Ph. 941-400-9023
E-mail: scarpacif@aol.com
Web: www.floridaeels.org