A legion of small business owners still talk about how, on Trashers game nights, downtown blazed to life. Adam Elzinga. Like any father, you want to be able to do something for your son.. His accomplishments includeover 30 wins across the World, along with competing with Team USA at World Championships. The players were aware that their owner was, well, connected. I have to win a title in something. Somehow they got the message upstairs. Submit changes (incorrect DOB, missing stats, incorrect stats, social media links etc) using a web form and we will review your update request within 24 hours and update accordingly. Some of the UHL's East Coast teams were either moving to other leagues or folding. The teenage sports exec became an irresistible media story. Players - FM Leaders; Teams - FM Leaders . Brian was born and raised in Detroit Michigan. ago] Height 6.02 -- Weight 205 [188 cm/93 kg] Regular Season. John teaches all levels of private and group lessons. Someone had said Galante, with a near-monopoly on regional garbage collection, was driving out competitors. He searched two places, one actual, one virtual. Now he was turning up with his gear at a regional airport, being greeted too enthusiastically by what looked like a high-school kid claiming to be his new GM. Theyd gotten close in 2005; now they intended to kick the son of a bitch in. Josh Gratton vs Adam Elzinga - Sep 5, 2001 - YouTube NHL hockey fights, brawls, scrums, roughs, hits, cheap shots, and other incidents. He posted a 28 wRC+ in the month of August, meaning he was 72 percent worse than the average MLB hitter. Team Information. In 1980, after the Houston Oilers barely missed a trip to the Super Bowl, Coach Bum Phillips gave their fans a famous pep talk. For this he was banned for life from the UHL. Theres nothing sadder than a small city. Federal authorities had grown interested in the Connecticut waste-management industry. "We had two defensemen hurt; otherwise we woulda won," A.J. To the delight of the Danbury press and public, they also brought exciting hockey action and stars such as Brent Gretzky (playing and signing autographs), kid brother of you-know-who. He caught Josh Elzinga in a corner, called him out, beat him down. "I didn't know s--- about hockey either," volunteers Greg, a propane tank repairer. See latest post and follow all instructions. Still, it was clear who had the ultimate authority: Before and after some games Jimmy gave the team fiery pep talks and blistering critiques. It went like this: Elzinga clipped Wingfield in the face, Wingfield asked for a fight, Elzinga declined. (VOY: "Shattered") Following the loss of the USS Voyager, Johnson was devastated, but he held out hope that Janeway and the rest of the crew were alive longer than most people did. Barely two months into the season Ndur was suspended for 20 games after fighting not just opposing players but also officials and opposing coaches. "Of course, if we had to do it again, would we have accepted that franchise? signed him for another game against Adirondack, in Danbury on Feb. 23, which was also WWE Night. Paul is currently the Hockey Director for the Miami Toros Hockey Program, where he brings an extremely high level of playing and coaching experience to the Kendall Ice Arena. fgcu.campuslabs.com. In the summer of '06, the Trashers sent 105 season-ticket holders refund checks, totaling $31,177. Little separated the team from its fans, physically or culturally: They mostly made nothing, were going nowhere, and knew unfairness. Whether people deny it or not, everyone loves a hockey fight.. Paul,originallyfrom Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with teams such as Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and the Colorado Avalanche. AFTER THE FALL While Jimmy (below right) serves out his prison sentence, A.J. According to the subsequent indictment, the investigation was part of an effort to thwart illegal practices in the trash hauling industry. It had been kicked off by a complaint. 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. The winning goal came in the third overtime. Mathieuhas had a lengthy professional career that spanned over a 14 year period. Steve Lynch has been coaching ice hockey for over 20 years. In many ways, the first round of that postseason was the high point: the Trashers versus the Frostbite, best of seven. Maybe it was better that way. He fashioned his club as the bad boys, the evil empire of the UHL: If we cant beat you, were at least gonna beat you up. Throughout his busy professional career, he has also participated in numerous hockey schools around the country. 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. I hear it again every time my son Micahs Squirt Division travel team plays a home game at the Danbury arena. The game turned into a riot, everyone taking a run at everyone else. It was a different day of hockey., Life for the Trashers was life on the road, going from small city to small city. First year, he was playing for the Port Huron Beacons, killing us. DeLuca pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of threatening. F--- you. Coach Ernie's interest in athletic performance development stems from his extensive career competing in ice hockey. The fans in section 102 who had once heckled him for his one eye instantly embraced him. From November 2019: My family story of love, the Mob, and government surveillance. Dissatisfied with the response he got from police, DeLuca went to Galante. (Prosecutors ultimately dropped the case for lack of proof. "We loved those fansI mean loved," says Omicioli. But haberdashery isn't what it used to be, and Danbury has struggled to find a new commercial base. The second year, Port Huron became the Roanoke Valley Vipers. In 2003, from their desks above what was once center ice, agents began investigating Jimmy Galante. "Every character they had, we had. "No," Jimmy replied. Sep 30, 1984 Position D Age 38 Height 5'11" / 180 cm Place of Birth Burbank, IL, USA Weight 183 lbs / 83 kg Nation USA Shoots L Youth Team - Status Retired Brother: Adam Elzinga Team Staff profile of Joshua Elzinga also available Use/Embed statistics Default Per Game Average Coaches Played For Player Statistics Regular Season + Postseason Galante passed him a note that asked, Do you want me to have someone pay him a visit? While David-Alexandre Beauregard was no goon, he fit into the Danbury menagerie. Having failed to agree with players on a new contract, major-league owners canceled the season. Some say he did it as a civic benefactor, to give a depressed city something to rally around. recalls, "even the commissioner was like, 'I would advise against that. Established 1996 -- Celebrating Our 25th Year . He's 27 now. persisted. After signing Gretzky, he went for Jim Duhart, the Crash Davis of minor-league hockey. "You need a wild card," says A.J., "so we decided we would beat people to submission. Within a few weeks the town's tattoo artists had learned to replicate the trash-can logo. The players exchanged looks of confusion. 's high school Jimmy paid to refurbish the football stadium. That matchup was marred by a brawl that kicked off when Trashers left winger Brad Wingfield attempted to fight Kalamazoo's Josh Elzinga, who declined the invitation. The intimidation factor was unreal. Rumun Ndur was the only Nigerian-born player ever to make it to the NHL. Asked by email whether there could be a sequel, a Danbury Trashers II, Galante responds, "Anything is possible! A case involving a minor-league hockey team also nailed Matty the Horse. ", Jimmy expects to be released this summer. Josh Elzinga, a blueliner for the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Wings, did that for him. The 200405 UHL season coincided with the NHL lockout. As Wagner was escorted there, he broke free to make a dash toward the opposing bench. He has talked casually with A.J. Gilles was the Lead Hockey Instructor for National Hockey Development for 4 years. Still, as one might expect from a teenage GM, the roster was dense with goons. A.J. They were always pulling them out late, clearing the bench, fighting and celebrating. After a life-threatening hockey injury suffered at 18 years of age with a prognosis that he may never be able to play the game again, his passion for hockey and his desire to succeed expectations fueled his rehabilitation and lead him to become an all-rounded athlete who has garnered respect from coaches and players on all levels. Follow. The league set an annual salary cap of $275,000, with a $2 luxury tax for every dollar spent above the threshold. We knew the reality: It was hockey, but it was also entertainment. 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. Josh Elzinga, Danville -- 5'11" late '84 is the younger brother of Adam Elzinga, an '82 who played for Danville last year (and recently made the OHL's Peterborough Petes). 's account.). Severely injured by a terrible cheap shot from an opponent, Winger is able to rehab his broken leg and get his revenge exactly 367 days later.The film footage is sort of grainy (unless you watch the documentary for some unique angles), but until this film, the audio from the home broadcast of the Danbury Trashers has never been available. With the NHL idled by a lockout that would scuttle the 2004--05 season in mid-February, the UHL became a haven for restless NHL players wanting to play to stay in shape. The Kalamazoo Wings were a Minor Professional hockey team based in Kalamazoo, MI playing in the United Hockey League from 2000 to 2007. "It comes right from the top.". We were paid, and everything was first class. Mathieuhasbecome a staple in the Tampa area over the last 2 years coaching kids and offering private lessons at Lightning Hockey Schools and Camps, Lightning Community Hockey Development, Lightning Made, Street Lightning, Chase Your Dreams, Future Goals and as a goalie consultant for the Lightning Development Camp. She started playing hockey, in her wheelchair. By the second round, they had nothing left. You in? Right before the league's trade deadline in March 2006, Jimmy and A.J. He found skill players on the internet, assembling his squad the way he might have assembled a fantasy-football team. He was a great owner." "Lemme get this straight," he said. Galante pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to violate the federal RICO act, one count of conspiring to defraud the IRS and one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud with the Trashers' bogus salary-cap figures. Thank you." Now and then, he liked to make an elaborate gesture, something attention-getting. Coach Ernie's leadership, motivational skills, training skills, and exceptional training ethics bring exciting elements to Southeast Elite Hockey. SON NATE WAS DRAFTED BY MISSISSAUGA IN THE 2021 OHL DRAFT. On June 8, 2006, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's office announced that Galante was the subject of an indictment that included charges of fraud, extortion, racketeering, tax fraud and conspiracy. ", THE RAIDERS' AL DAVIS WAS "A WILD MAN WITH A TEAM FULL OF OUTLAWS," SAYS A.J., "AND THAT'S HOW I WANTED TO BE. Gustafson would later describe Galante as a manipulating, controlling, hands-on bully., When I asked Galante why hed become a fixation for prosecutors, he said, I have no idea. . In professional sports, there are usually two games taking place. Investigators alleged that by paying a quarterly $30,000 "mob tax" to Matthew (Matty the Horse) Ianniellothen the highest-ranking member of New York City's Genovese crime familyGalante's companies had muscled out potential competitors and charged counties and businesses inflated carting rates. I suspended him. When it came time to negotiate Gretzkys contract, AJ turned the deal over to his father. | View as text League Information Josh Elzinga played in four leagues over the course of his career. conducted one interview, for a New York Times story, while walking through his high school, where cellphones were banned; he had to hang up on the reporter when he passed a teacher in the hall.) Josh Elzinga vs. Brad Wingfield, December 03, 2005 - Kalamazoo Wings vs. Danbury Trashers . But it wasn't just the players who were punished. ", 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. Playing against the Trashers was "a s--- show," said Chris Chaput, who was a center for the Elmira Jackals in 2005--06. says. They happily agreed. As AJ explained it to me: It happened at dinner. Most dismaying to the citizenry of Danbury, the Trashers' 2006--07 season was canceled. But they also swap remember-that-time-when stories about those two years they ran that crazy-assed hockey team. Last seen in the 2003-2004 season with the Chicago Steel (USHL). Al has coached youth hockeyfor the last 9 years and isa level 5 USA Hockey coach. Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Adam Elzinga, 1982-07-23 Burbank, IL, USA USA. When the signal comes, they pull on a fresh shirt, put on the gear, head out. It was all new to him, but he was sure of the player he wanted most: Brent Gretzky, the brother of the NHL legend Wayne. Besides, what choice did he have? . As with hockey, he had no real connections when he started, but he figured, How hard could it be to break in? But he would become something of a hockey Crash Davis: He would play through 2013, retiring at 37. "The camaraderie with the Galante familythe laughs, the dinnersit's sad," Pomposello says, his voice catching. Young Blood, Goon, they were all there. made connections over the summer with agents, scouts and middlemen who could deliver that goalie from Manitoba or that playmaker from Quebec. The Trashers sprawled in the locker room as the Zamboni worked. A.J. Some fights started spontaneously, following a big hit. called his middleman in Quebec and essentially rented Wagner for a game against Adirondack. Jimmy and A.J. When Jimmy returned from work, his son greeted him with the big news. In keeping with the menacing nickname they gave themselves, the Trashers dropped their gloves at every opportunity, gleefully racking up penalty minutes. That May they played their hated rival, Kalamazoo, in the Colonial Cup finals. Marc also specializes in Power Skating and using the techniques of dynamic edgework and plyometricwhile on the ice. Hockey Fights is an entertainment site with no direct affiliation to the National Hockey League, its teams, or NHLPA. The documentary does a great job capturing on the emotional story of Wingfield and his strong relationship with both A.J. what happened to josh elzinga hockey. There was something else in the books too. If Micahs short careerhes currently 10 years oldwere, God forbid, to come to a sudden end, Id gladly enlist a mobster to buy him a team so he could still have a future in hockey. Marc believes in helping each athlete to decipher through the plethora of good and misinformation to achieve optimal performance. One night, he got into a shouting match with a stranger who turned out to be the visiting teams general managerthe result being a call to AJ from Richard Brosal, the UHL commissioner, followed by a short suspension. "I loved every player," Jimmy asserts. Some say he did it for the same reason he owned a race-car squad: He loved to compete. 2023 The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd, Get the latest news right to your inbox > Sign up here. She was loving it, said Vogel. A UHL season was about 80 games followed by playoffs; the champion took home the Colonial Cup. I first heard it from a father on the sidelines of a Little League game soon after I moved in. had been a serviceable defenseman in high school and had followed the Devils, so he reckoned he knew the sport well enough. Between periods, players take off their jersey and pads. For himself he built a skybox equipped with a kitchenette and a flat-screen TV. Catalyzed by their new scorer, the Trashers cruised through the regular season, finishing 48--17. John also has coached with the Florida Jr. Panthers and Florida Panthers Hockey Schools for many years. 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. After a life-threatening hockey injury suffered at 18 years of age with a prognosis that he may never be able to play the game again, his passion for hockey and his desire to succeed expectations fueled his rehabilitation and lead him to become an all-rounded athlete who has . It was a twist Elmore Leonard might have considered improbable. Seven players were sent to the penalty box. Adam has over 25 years of hockey experience as a player and coach. The team's actual payroll would later be estimated at $750,000. Charlie has coached numerous Southeast Elite AAA teams throughout the years, bringing home many championships. Pick your poison. My son plays there eight or nine times a year. The Trashers were hosting the Kalamazoo Wings, and Brent Gretzky was being shadowed by the Kalamazoo defenseman Josh Elzinga. The FBI had sent an agent undercover to pass himself off as a rogue salesman and befriend the men around Galante. 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. Their goons fight our goons. Through United States Ice Rink Association Gilles has acquired his Hockey Director Certificate, Human Resources Management Certificate and Programming, Marketing and Promotions Certificate. Galante, his hair buzzed to the scalp, a neatly trimmed goatee rimming his mouth, stands off to the side, his iPhone pressed to his ear. My dad wasnt too happy, and in so many words I was told, We need a fucking scorer. I was on spring break from college, and my break consisted of me in my room researching I didnt really have any relationships with other hockey people. Wingnut. ", Roseanne Galante, reasonably, asked her husband and son if they had any idea what they were doing. Brad WingfieldWingnutchallenged Elzinga: Drop em; lets get it on. what happened to josh elzinga hockey. After hearing ESPN hockey commentator Barry Melrose, a co-owner of the Frostbite, trash the Trashers on the radio, an enraged A.J. Let's just say hindsight is 20/20. We had 10 goons! I know its not healthy, but I cant help myself. Winger Frank (the Animal) Bialowas, a former runner-up for Mr. Manitoba, was not much for impulse control either. Now and then, he fit into the Danbury menagerie be released summer. '' says Omicioli players but also officials and opposing coaches had followed the Devils, so he reckoned he the! For life from the UHL. `` say he did it as a rogue salesman and befriend men... 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