Eels NHL Draft Picks
It didn't take long for Frank Scarpaci to realize that Teddy Ruth was an outstanding hockey player.
"No question, his presence on the ice was felt immediately," recalled Scarpaci, who runs the Fort Myers-based Florida Eels.
As a young teen a few years back, Ruth joined the Eels - which played out of Ellenton at the time - after his family moved to Bradenton from Dallas. For a year and a-half, Ruth was a key part of Scarpaci's bantam team, which is why so many Eels were glued to last weekend's National Hockey League Draft in Columbus, Ohio.
Ruth, who is headed to Notre Dame this fall, was selected by the Washington Capitals in the second round - 46th overall - on Saturday. Scarpaci's program has graduated dozens of players into prep school and college hockey - including Division I - but producing an NHL draft choice is a first.
"We're thrilled to have a boy from the Florida Eels be drafted," Scarpaci said Sunday.
The former Eels captain played last season for the U.S. National Team Development Program, where his teammates included first rounders James Van Riemsdyk (Philadelphia), Ian Cole (St. Louis) and Kevin Shattenkirk (Colorado).
Ruth is a 6-foot, 199 pound defenseman whom Scarpaci remembers being solid as a rock in an Eels uniform.
"He absolutely dominated that position," said Scarpaci. "Not many players were successful coming into our zone when Teddy Ruth was on the ice."
Ruth's talents extended to both ends of the ice.
"He could turn the game around at any time," said Scarpaci.
Ruth's youth hockey tenure in the Sunshine State ended when his family moved to Illinois, but he didn't forget his days as an Eel.
"Last November we were playing in Chicago against a Russia/Latvia team," said Scarpaci. "Somebody came down and said there is a family that wants to see you."
It was Teddy and the Ruths.
"They're a great family," said Scarpaci.
n Local hockey fans might be able to see a 2007 first round pick at the Florida College Classic in December. Cornell-bound Riley Nash was selected with the 21st overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers. The 6-foot, 175 pound center from Alberta will join his brother, Brendon, on the Big Red. Cornell, Maine, Clarkson and UMass-Lowell will vie for the Classic title.
