Eels Announce the Signing of 6’3” second year forward Daniel Merida Daniel Merida Re-Joins the Eels Junior program for the 2017-18 season. Daniel is a 6”3” 175 pound forward from Fort Myers Florida. He was a rookie last season for the Eels USP3 team. He played the previous season for the Eels U16 Midget team. Daniel had one year of juniors, garnering invaluable experience learning the hitting, speed of the game, the decision-making and overall elevation between Juniors and midgets. This isn’t easy for most players and indeed most are not able to make this transition. Instead of shying away and yielding, Daniel sought more. There is a huge learning curve and Daniel knew that if he wanted to excel and move on to play college hockey he had to take that quantum leap forward.

This past summer like so many of the local Eel junior players. He trained each week with Frankie Scarpaci Eels Premier Head coach. He trained both on the ice 3 days per week and another 4 days per week strength and conditioning training. Merida is a native of Fort Myers and has seen so many of the Eels Alumni advance on to college and play college hockey. He saw first hand so many of these guys work tirelessly and do the extra things necessary to make their dreams a reality. Indeed, over the summer he worked along side of Eels alumni Joey Colatraci was at Coach Scarpaci’s summer training. Colatarci played last season for NCAA Division 3 Adrian College. He saw the hours Joey was putting in just to be ready and better prepared for this season coming up.

Merida is hungry for his chance to prove himself this season. He knows, as a 1999 he is no longer the young guy. He has to make things happen now. He has to take personal responsibility for his future. Sure he has a few more years of juniors but he needs to take this time this very valuable time to advance him to the next level. Coach Frankie Scarpaci says he has size height 6’3” and has been working in the gym to put on some weight and develop body mass. Daniel has the nose to drive the net. No doubt he showed it as youth player his ability to score. Now he has to bring that offensive abilities to the junior forum. He definitely has size and will need to use that to his advantage in driving to the net. Daniel does have a good shot and he has been working on it over the summer to gravitate it to the junior level. Coach Scarpaci concluded that it is great to see a young man like Daniel take ownership in his future.

GM Scarpaci sees a very enthusiastic young man who wants it. We have provided a venue for him to shoot every day about 100-150 pucks a day. With his good skill set coupled with his solid speed he can develop his abilities as shooter and garner very good scoring opportunities. We know he wants it. That is half the battle with so many guys. Daniel has the fortitude and desire so this year we should see significant gains in his game. Welcome back Daniel.