NCDC Commitment Profile: South Shore Kings Velepec commits to Wesleyan University

South Shore Kings forward and team captain Eli Velepec announced his commitment to play NCAA Division III hockey at Wesleyan University beginning in the 2026–27 season.

Velepec, who hails from Irondequoit, NY, is in his second year with the Kings’ NCDC squad. During the 2024–25 campaign, he recorded 13 goals and 18 assists in 51 regular season games and added three assists across 11 playoff contests. This season, the veteran forward has continued to be a steady presence with 15 points (2G, 13A) through 36 games.

“This being my second year in Foxboro with the South Shore Kings, these two seasons will forever stand as a defining chapter in the trajectory of my life,” said Velepec. “The practices, games, teammates, and coaches have taught me so much about stepping into the unknown and never giving up the fight. Even in games where we were down by four goals, we always believed we could come back and win. That belief shaped our success and is something I’ll carry far beyond the rink. I’ll always be proud to call myself a South Shore King.”

Kings GM and Head Coach Tyler Holske shared high praise for his captain’s work ethic and competitiveness.

“Eli is everything you want as a coach,” said Holske. “He drives our culture daily. He plays with tremendous passion, he’s ultra-competitive, and he’s versatile in every situation. Coach Potter and the entire Wesleyan community are getting a terrific young man. I’m excited to see what he does at the next level.”

The Kings have built a strong pipeline to Wesleyan University in recent years, and Velepec becomes the latest standout to join the Cardinals, a proud member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).

The NCDC congratulates Eli Velepec, his family, the South Shore Kings, and Wesleyan University on this outstanding commitment.