Mercer Chiefs 18U duo of Lareau and Evaldi sign NAHL tenders

Elliott Lareau had seven points in eight NAPHL games during the 2020-21 season.

The Mercer Chiefs of the NAPHL’s Tier 1 East Division are pleased to announce that two players from the 18U team have signed North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreements.

Forward Elliott Lareau has signed a tender with the Maryland Black Bears of the NAHL’s East Division and defenseman Eddie Evaldi has signed a tender with the St. Cloud Norsemen of the NAHL’s Central Division.

Lareau is a 6'1/185 pound forward from Saint-Laurent, Québec, Canada. This past season was his first with the Mercer Chiefs where he also served as team captain. He posted seven points in eight NAPHL regular season and playoff games and had 20 points in 13 other games overall.

“Elliott is a very mature kid with an extremely strong work ethic. He has been a very strong leader for the Mercer Chiefs all year and competes every single time he steps onto the ice, and into the gym. We have been tracking his progress and feel he will be a very successful NAHL player with the Maryland Black Bears,” said Black Bears head coach Clint Mylymok.

"It's an honor to play for such a great organization. I am thankful for Coach Broderick, my teammates and who helped me along the way. I wouldn't be where I am right now without them. I can't wait to get started in Maryland Back Bear Nation," said Lareau.

“I have had the privilege of coaching a lot of great players who have gone onto college and pro hockey and Elliot is one of those elite players. He can skate and can absolutely fire the puck - but the thing that sets Elliot apart, is his head and his heart. It only took me a week to name Elliot a captain of this team because his leadership skills are so tremendous. The Black Bears are getting a great one and I can’t wait to watch his journey,” said Mercer 18U Head Coach Rob Broderick.

Evaldi, 19, is in his fourth season overall with the Mercer Chiefs. The 5’11/161 lbs. native of Lawrence, NJ, played in four NAPHL games during the 2020-21 season. He also made his NAHL debut during the 2020-21 season, playing in two games for the Maryland Black Bears.

“Eddie is a special talent. He will be one of the most talented kids in the NAHL next season. His edgework and speed are elite, and he was just amazing for us this season,” said Coach Broderick.

Click here for a list of 2020-21 NAPHL tenders

A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted ten (10) tenders, which include two (2) tenders exclusively used on players from the NAPHL - plus or minus any trades - which became active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the 2021 NAHL Draft.