Eels Are Proud to Announce the Signing Of  French Canadian Defenseman Francesco Autore

The Eels are thrilled with the signing of its  newest defenseman Francesco Autore – from Montreal Canada. Autore is a 2000, at  5’9” 187 pounds. General Manager Frank Scarpaci scouted  Autore at the HPA Junior Combine in Indiana. The  Eels were extremely impressed with a number of players from the HPA Combine. In  fact Autore is one of 8 players who joined the Eels from that venue.

Autore is a member of HPA Sports Management  headed by one of the Premier Leaders in developing hockey players to college Dan D’Astoli. The Eels have been doing business with Dan D’Astoli and HPA for 20 years. He is one  of the most respected men in the business. He has a great eye for talent and  always has players who possess the highest character and moral fiber. That is  what we want here in the Eels organization. Scarpaci stresses that players from  HPA are amongst the most dedicated and determined players. They are focused and  willing to make the sacrifice and put in the enormous energies needed to  advance to the next level. We knew from the ought set we wanted Autore with us.  Francesco in fact joined the Eels at the Summer  Pro Am Sr. Chowder Cup. He impressed the Eels coaching staff as he played very  well against some extremely talented young men. We not only saw the skill set  in him and the belief he can make the transition to play Juniors but we also  got to know him as a person over the 4 day event. Premier Coach Frankie  Scarpaci got to experience his character and fortitude. He commented, I saw  right away the tangible and intangible qualities of this young man that GM  Scarpaci captured at the HPA Combine.

Eels Elite coach Greg Sears loved that way he  played. He noted that despite him being a young 2000 he did not get rattled  when very talented opponents exposed and accelerated with all deliberate speed  as attacked the zone. Francesco was poised and took charge. He was relentless  along the boards and shut down and helped close the crease.

GM Scarpaci liked what he also saw at the HPA  Combine and again eclipsed at the Sr. Chowder Cup was his nice heavy shot form  the point. His shots get to the net and that creates offensive scoring chances  and that is what we want.

Both Coach Scarpaci and Sears have witnessed a  very hard working young man at the Pre Season Training Camp over the past two  weeks. He has been attending two ice sessions and off ice training tabulation  over 5 hours of daily training. The Eels are looking to develop Autore into a  major player. He is young as a 2000 and he has the eye the hunger the thirst  and that equals not only the will to win but also the willingness to do all the  things to make that will a reality.

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