The Cap City Summer Elite League is in full swing

After two weeks, the Cap City Summer Elite League has been a hit. The Chiller North has been packed with fans on Tuesdays from noon to 3pm, it’s been crazy to see honestly. Fans have filled the stands and stood all around the glass during games. Between periods and after games, players have even made themselves available to fans for autographs and pictures. I was told that Patrik Laine didn't go the locker room in between periods, instead he signed autographs and took pics until it was time to hit the ice again. This was a choice he made to make fans happy.

The play has been wide open. Early in the season it’s been a 3 on 3 style, so the scoring has been high. A few of the games saw both teams scoring in double digits, but with the talent on the ice, and the rules the league has in place, that is to be expected. Per the league, as the season goes on the format will move to 4v4 and 5v5.

So far, the Battery Hockey team led by Flyers forward Cam Atkinson is leading the way, scoring 30 goals in two games, while only giving up 15. Battery also is the only team to win two games in regulation. Meanwhile 614 Hockey captained by Sean Kuraly is winless so far, but I’m sure that won’t last long as that team is stacked with players like Kuraly, Patrik Laine, Jack Roslovic and Hayden Stavroff.

CBJ forward Carson Meyer is leading the way in scoring with 6 goals and 13 points. Atkinson has 6 goals and 12 points. Patrik Laine, who made his debut yesterday has 9 points in just one game played. He scored 5 goals and had 4 assists in his first CCSEL game. Something tells me that if he continues to play some games, he will end up leading this league in points. Players are involved and having fun, and according to player and Battery Academy skills coach JC Campagna, the players are always looking at the points totals for the game. It definitely seems competitive between the players.

Off the ice, the CCSEL has been equally as impressive as the game on the ice. According to Campagna, who also oversees Operations for the league, they saw approximately 1800 fans pour into the Chiller North over the first two weeks of the season. 800 in week 1, and 1000 in week 2. Campagna told me over the phone that he talked to some fans that came out for the games and said some of them took extended lunch breaks from work, while others took the day off. The turnout has blown the league away so far.

The league is also enjoying the games being broadcast by the local media collective Yamo Media. The games are being broadcast live on their YouTube page; you can visit them here. The play-by-play and color commentary have been spectacular, couple that with the production value and it has been very fun to watch. You can see highlights on the page if you miss the game while it’s live. Campagna tells me he has been very impressed with how Yamo has produced the broadcasts.

The CCSEL website is also beautiful. Nick Petraglia, the leagues Commissioner, runs the league website and oversees the day-to-day operations of the CCSEL. The website features the standings, scoring leaders, highlights, rules and much more. Pat Cannone is the Player Liaison for the league and is also a Director for the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets. And finally, Joey Nahay oversees Marketing and Fan Engagement. He helps with league partnerships, marketing and well as handles social media and youth hockey engagement. Nahay is also owner of The Battery Hockey Academy.

Campagna told me that without the teamwork of Petraglia, Cannone, Nahay and himself, this league would not be anywhere near where it is after two weeks. It’s a total team effort and assured me that there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to put this league on every week.

If the fans keep showing up like they have been and supporting the league every week, this may end up being even bigger than what they had imagined. Check it out anyway you can whether it be in person or on the live stream, it’s worth it.