January 15, 2020

Guilford, Conn., - The Elite Hockey Academy of the East Coast Elite League and the Atlantic Youth Hockey League are pleased to announce that 18U defenseman Charlie Cocuzzo has signed a tender in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC).

To date, It is the second tender signed by our 18U team in the 2019-2020 season.
 
Cocuzzo 17, came to the Elite Hockey Academy after having played in California for Peter Torsson with the California Golden Bears and Anaheim Jr Ducks. The 6’0/165 lbs. native of South Pasadena, California has appeared in 51 games this season with the 18U Elite Academy and recorded forty points (7 goal, 33 assists).
 
"Cocuzzo is an offensive defenseman who transitions the puck well and thinks the game at a really high level.  We are excited to see a player like Charlie who has played in our program for the past two seasons get the opportunity to play at the next level."  said Peter Alden, President of the Elite Hockey Academy organization.

Charlie Coccuzo is not only a reliable two-way defenseman but is also an effective leader and a dynamic player. He has taken big strides in the last two years under Peter Alden and his staff. Charlie is very thankful for his time with the Elite Hockey Academy, and he believes that without his teammates and the staff of Elite Hockey Academy, he would not be in the spot he’s in today. 

“I would like to thank Coach Alden and the rest of the staff for helping me improve on the ice but as a person,” said Coccuzo. “ Finally, I would like to thank my teammates for pushing me day and day out. Without them, I would not be the player that I am today.”   Said Charlie Cocuzzo

The U18 team is at home on Saturday night vs Mercer Chiefs in Northford and then hit the road for an afternoon game in Long Island vs the LI Gulls.  The 18s look to make a playoff push with the next two weekend ahead.

The Islanders Hockey Club has a long history of sending players to Division 1 and the pro ranks. The program has produced many players that have gone to Hockey East and ECAC Schools. Alumni include Stanley Cup Champions Zach Sanford, Brian Dumoulin, and Trevor Van Riemsdyk.  To learn more about the NCDC, CLICK HERE.

A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NCDC team and that NCDC team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NCDC team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NCDC and he may not be recruited by any other NCDC team.

For more information on the Elite Hockey Program, please fill out our player inquiry: CLICK HERE.