They had scorers and skaters and playmakers and defensive stalwarts. An 11-year-old girl in Detroit had to get staples in her head after . A UHL season was about 80 games followed by playoffs; the champion took home the Colonial Cup. Originally from Montreal,Charlieplayed over 900 games professionally around the globe over his 17-year career, including the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers. She would go there (the Danbury Ice Arena) every single day and sit around in the stands for a total of probably eight hours just to watch an hour of practice, Greg said. The UHL comprised 14 teams, including the Quad City Mallards, the Elmira Jackals, the Flint Generals, the Fort Wayne Komets, the Kalamazoo Wings, and the Adirondack Frostbite. "He can score unbelievable," A.J. fgcu.campuslabs.com. But in other corners the Galantesand the desperadoes on ice they brought to townare still recalled fondly. Danburys equipment manager would soak the Trashers jerseys in Crisco before they played the Frostbite so the opposing goons couldnt get a firm grip. Asan instructorand Director for the HuronHockey Schools at a young age, Steve has been very fortunate to be able to work side by side with some of the best coaches in the business. This updated clip brings back the perspective of how Trashers fans were feeling during this moment of redemption. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. just landed Galarza his first TV fight, on Showtime's ShoBox series, and an endorsement deal with the apparel company Rival Boxing. In 2015, AJ opened a boxing club across from the Danbury arena. The second year, Port Huron became the Roanoke Valley Vipers. says. There was only one problem: it wasnt protecting her sides, leaving her exposed, and often, black and blue. The week that followed Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination was revolutionaryso why was it nearly forgotten? Southeast Elite is proud to announce the Mathieu Garon with be an instrumental member of the Southeast Elite organization as a goaltender instructor. was fined and suspended for nearly coming to blows with an executive from another team during a game. After signing Gretzky, he went for Jim Duhart, the Crash Davis of minor-league hockey. Born Jul 23 1982 -- Burbank, IL. ", Jimmy paused. In the indictment filed by the U.S. Attorneys office, Galante was charged with 72 counts, including extortion, witness tampering, and racketeering. ", Roseanne Galante, reasonably, asked her husband and son if they had any idea what they were doing. As Wingfield skated away, Elzinga grabbed the back of his opponents jersey and pulled him over his outstretched leg, breaking Wingfields left tibia, fibula and ankle. Depending on whom you ask, Jimmy Galante was either one of its mobsters or a legit businessman whose waste-removal company had become associated with the Mafia. ", "WE LOVED THOSE FANS," SAYS OMICIOLI. You'll be the president. "You better not lose again. Wingfield was back in uniform, having healed from the slew-footing by Elzinga that had broken his leg in several places. In the Trashers-Frostbite game, however, he inflicted no real damage even though he spent three periods looking for a fight, ran up 43 penalty minutes and even made a run at the Adirondack goalie. ), The Trashers finished the 200405 season with a 44297 record, which put them in the playoffs. He had skipped an afternoon class to pick up Rupp. View the profiles of people named Josh Elzinga. At a home game in Danbury, he beat up three Adirondack forwards, AJ said. "You got us a guy with one eye? Al wenton to a successful financial career before building and operating his own ice rink in Lithia, Florida. DeLuca believed his granddaughter's husband, Mark Colella, had physically abused her. was on the phone with agents for some of the best hockey players in the world. During that time he has played for the Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburg Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning. For instance, Galante and a few trusted associates burned a competitors truck in 1992after first binding the driverto send a message to stay out of the Connecticut market, and in 2006, damaged the tires of a competitors truck after that carter refused to back down on a $50/month account. drives his white Mercedes more than three hours to White Deer, Pa., where Jimmy is serving his sentence at the Allenwood Federal Correctional Complex. I remember being elated, guys tumbling over the boards like wed won the Stanley Cup. The Trashers went on to win that series, but lost the next. Some of the UHL's East Coast teams were either moving to other leagues or folding. For himself he built a skybox equipped with a kitchenette. I first heard it from a father on the sidelines of a Little League game soon after I moved in. The former Director of Hockey Operations for the Jacksonville Ice and Sports Complex, Gilles is no stranger to youth hockey. 117 Followers, 355 Following, 69 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Josh Elzinga (@jelzinga86) 117 Followers, 355 Following, 69 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Josh Elzinga (@jelzinga86) jelzinga86. They weren't just happy to go to games. Elzinga declined, but as Wingfield skated away, Elzinga pulled on his jersey and stuck out a foot to trip him. And thats how Greg and Brenda St. Clair were introduced to hockey, enough to motivate them to attend the Trashers next game and eventually become addicted to a sport they previously knew little about. "You need a wild card," says A.J., "so we decided we would beat people to submission. For this he was banned for life from the UHL. AJ spent the summer after his senior year assembling a roster. Josh Elzinga vs. Brad Wingfield, December 03, 2005 - Kalamazoo Wings vs. Danbury Trashers . I wound up having words with the referee, and unbeknownst to me, he was a full-time police officer in upstate New York, Galante told me. 's account.). Like Mike Tyson in his prime.". Nothing.. ", THESE BONDS were cemented by a brand of violence the Trashers purveyed without apology. One of the featured players, Brad \"Wingnut\" Wingfield plays a significant role in the film. Ten years ago, Connecticut waste-management king Jimmy Galante started a minor league hockey team and put his teenage son, A.J., in charge. Born 1984-09-30 in Burbank, Illinois. ", Occasionally, though, Jimmy betrayed a temper and turned it on his team. Rupp played 14 games for the Trashersracking up five goals, five assists, and 30 penalty minutesbefore going back to the NHL for nine more seasons. But for the Trashers, there was a third game, although neither Jimmy nor AJ knew about it. Everyone, however, agrees that he did it at least in part for his son, AJ, who was 17. By Chris Kazarian The legend of the United Leagues Danbury Trashers was cemented midway through the teams first season in a game against the Kalamazoo Wings. 2013-current Head Coach of the 2005 AAA Florida Alliance/Southeast Elite Program, 11 years in professional hockey in the AHL, ECHL, and Europe, More information about Marc can be found at, Over 13 years as a Professional Triathlete with 35 overall victories, Oldest Pro to ever compete in Pro World Championship 2006, Junior Hockey- Ohio Juniors Collegiate Hockey Ohio University, Private lessons and Camps Specializing in European Power skating. and Jimmy Galante. did his homework," says former Trashers center Drew Omicioli, "putting in research and hard work to build the team.". Also, its funny as hellThe Sopranos meets Slap Shot. Right before the league's trade deadline in March 2006, Jimmy and A.J. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. Though he started with no contacts in the sport, often relying on Google to find the main phone numbers of other teams, A.J. Before a big game a team employee might check into the visitors' hotel and pull the fire alarm. From March 2014: The oracle of ice hockey. And what's more entertaining than a bunch of crazy guys getting into fights?". When linesman James Harper approached him, they engaged in a shouting match, and Jimmy reportedly gave Harper a fat lip. BY JANUARY 2005 the Trashers were so riddled with suspensions that they had to suit up an assistant coach, Bobby Stearns, who suddenly became a 36-year-old pro hockey rookie. "We're probably not going to want to participate," he said haltingly. He took a shot at us, AJ told me. also hired Tommy (T-Bone) Pomposello, a former minor leaguer, who would do everything from managing the equipment to scouting talent to helping run practice. The Trashers sprawled in the locker room as the Zamboni worked. At 32, Todd was younger than some of the players. This summer, she took multiple trips to the ER for what she believes is a pinched nerve in her neck. Brian was born and raised in Detroit Michigan. By game's end they were hooked. A.J. It had a great economic impact on the entire downtown.". In court, Matty the Horse was ruined and old, hard to understand. Thats where he told me his story, amid the light and heavy bags, in the regulation ring. Like Danbury, once the producer of many of the world's hats. The one thing that has given her joy in recent years is hockey. So in 2004 Galante sank his money into the hockey equivalent of Double A ball. Though the camp was postponed until September, the St. Clairs decided to head south, meeting Vogel at Ice Line in West Chester, where he learned to skate as a kid. So Im like, How the hell am I going to get a trade? I ended up taking this Vipers fan booklet and calling the merchandise number. ", In his first game for Danbury, Beauregard had a goal and an assist as the Trashers won 5--1. "No," Jimmy replied. Residents greeted the new hockey team with considerable excitement. Additionally, Charlie is the Head of Academics for TPH, Estero. But for many, the highlight had come earlier in the season, when Wingnut got his revenge. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features, Drafted 2001, 4 #48 overall by Cedar Rapids Roughriders in the USHL Entry Draft, Drafted 2000, 8 #157 overall by Windsor Spitfires in the OHL Priority Selection. We only use official stats. "Well, he's like anyone else to me. She was loving it, said Vogel. Then AJ had gotten hurt. ", THE TRASHERS finished their inaugural season 44--29, and their second year unfolded much like the first: a lot of winning, a lot of fighting. Little separated the team from its fans, physically or culturally: They mostly made nothing, were going nowhere, and knew unfairness. The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Nick Jensen to a three-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $4.05 million. Word got around the hockey world, and soon A.J. The Galantes admit that their favorite player was Brad Wingfield, a.k.a. Then Sen. Joseph Lieberman hailed Galante as a "shining example" in the community. - EP Contact Book listing of your profile (optional) You did right by him and were loyal, and he would do anything for you. To Galante, it was a rounding error. Josh Elzinga, a blueliner for the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Wings, did that for him. The Trashers would sell out the arena regularly as fans of various ethnicities, ages and collars converged to cheer them on. MICHAEL J. LEBRECHT II FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (A.J.). Josh Elzinga Position: D Birthday: Sep 30, 1984 From: Burbank, IL United States Height: 5'11" Weight: 190 lbs. "It comes right from the top.". Players - FM Leaders; Teams - FM Leaders . Wingfield challenged a Kalamazoo player, Josh Elzinga, to a fight. He allegedly kicked a referee. Since birth Brenda has suffered from spina bifida, an abnormality that causes an opening in the spinal column. Last seen in the 2003-2004 season with the Chicago Steel (USHL). persisted. If you have any questions or problems with the league statistics contact: League Admin They were always pulling them out late, clearing the bench, fighting and celebrating. "Oh, everyone knew the deal," says Omicioli, "but [we] didn't care. The doors to the visiting team's penalty box were also welded together, so opponents had to fling themselves over the boards to enter the box. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. Having been a professional player, coach, and instructor for over 15 years, Gilles has been able to help continue to grow youth hockey programs across the state of Florida. He scores like it's drinking water. Her style may be unorthodox, but she fits right in between the pipes. Having failed to agree with players on a new contract, major-league owners canceled the season. When the signal comes, they pull on a fresh shirt, put on the gear, head out. He was unreal down the stretch., The Trashers finished their second season 481711, then rolled through the playoffs, making it all the way to the finals, where they lost to Kalamazoo in five games. picks his words with great care when discussing what he calls "the legal issues" of the last few years. 117 followers. Coach Ernie's interest in athletic performance development stems from his extensive career competing in ice hockey. Maybe because Im Italian and in the garbage business.. . Wagner had once set a West Coast Hockey League single-season record with 503 penalty minutes. ", The Galantes put the rowdiest boosters behind the opposing bench. - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) Now and then, AJ would watch a game from Section 102. ", On most Saturdays, A.J. A promotional video could have doubled as a Dexter ad, with blood spatters on the ice. The fans in section 102 who had once heckled him for his one eye instantly embraced him. Jimmy Galante purchased an expansion franchise in the United Hockey League, the equivalent of Double A baseball. Fifteen years have passed since the Danbury Trashers disbanded in 2006 as a result of the federal investigation that landed Jimmy Galante in prison after he pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, tax fraud and wire fraud. Al has coached youth hockeyfor the last 9 years and isa level 5 USA Hockey coach. Toward the trade deadline, we were going through a slump. The Trashers folded three days after Galantes arrest. For a team theme song, A.J. Throughout his busy professional career, he has also participated in numerous hockey schools around the country. Questioned about the no-show jobs, former players laughed and changed the subject. As Wingfield skated away,. Maybe thats why I became obsessed with this story: It connects our little home rink with an epic of the human hockey condition. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) The former Director of hockey Operations for the Trashers finished the 200405 season with a Premium subscription, You get..., which put them in the locker room as the Trashers jerseys in Crisco they! He had skipped an afternoon class to pick up Rupp as Wingfield skated away, Elzinga pulled on his and... A game favorite player was Brad Wingfield, what happened to josh elzinga hockey 03, 2005 - Kalamazoo Wings vs. Trashers... Afternoon class to pick up Rupp, Estero updated clip brings back the perspective of how Trashers fans feeling. 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