what happened to josh elzinga hockey
Like any father, you want to be able to do something for your son.. It was all over the blogs and hockey-fight sites, the craziness. The intimidation factor was unreal. Rumun Ndur was the only Nigerian-born player ever to make it to the NHL. It was a violent league made of players on the way up, players on the way down, and some players simply holding on, happy to live in the limbo of the minor leagues. The teenage sports exec became an irresistible media story. Which was the point: The Danbury Ice Arena was the sort of place where you could get into it with a random bozo in the bleachers, and he would turn out to be the head of the opposing team. MICHAEL J. LEBRECHT II FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (A.J.). His job was to be the Kevin Costner to Brent Gretzkys Whitney Houston. Like Mike Tyson in his prime.". On Dec. 3, 2005, Kalamazoo visited Danbury. made connections over the summer with agents, scouts and middlemen who could deliver that goalie from Manitoba or that playmaker from Quebec. To circumvent the cap, Galante regularly doled out cash bonuses, gave some players exorbitant living allowances and gave others checks for housing after their allowances had already been paid. We had one [enforcer], and the poor guy got challenged every shift. (Galante denies having had this conversation.) 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. In many ways, the first round of that postseason was the high point: the Trashers versus the Frostbite, best of seven. We had 10 goons! The Minnesota Wild have acquired forward Gustav Nyquist from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NHL draft. - Ability to add additional data to your career profile: Videos, Images, Social Media, Referrals, Fitness Testing Results and much more! 14U A - Josh Elzinga 14U AA - Eric Ricard and Johnny Pelletier 16U A - Dylan Forsythe and Devon Rodriguez 16U AA USPHL - Tony Lessel 18U AA - Peter Jerabeck Coach's Bios Will be released the week prior to tryouts For more information contact: Tony Lessel, Hockey Director TonyL@floridaeverblades.com - 239-948-7825 x1303 As Wingfield skated away,. How did A.J. The former Director of Hockey Operations for the Jacksonville Ice and Sports Complex, Gilles is no stranger to youth hockey. But for many, the highlight had come earlier in the season, when Wingnut got his revenge. The Galantes told Trashers who were suspendedinvariably for fightingto watch the games from the 102 seats. Maybe it was better that way. A.J. He was born in the Bronx but grew up in bucolic South Salem, New York; did a stint in the Air Force; and then took a job driving a garbage truck. In 1980, after the Houston Oilers barely missed a trip to the Super Bowl, Coach Bum Phillips gave their fans a famous pep talk. "I got lectured a lot by Mr. Brosal, our commissioner," A.J. Theres nothing sadder than a small city. When it came time to negotiate Gretzkys contract, AJ turned the deal over to his father. "You got us a guy with one eye? The New York Times described him as a Danbury trash hauler suspected of mob ties who had a story right out of The Sopranos., From December 2019: Scorseses elegy for the American gangster. A case involving a minor-league hockey team also nailed Matty the Horse. Now, the younger Galante has embraced boxing instead of hockey. But Jimmy Galante was smart, and the G-men could never quite nail him. Winger Frank (the Animal) Bialowas, a former runner-up for Mr. Manitoba, was not much for impulse control either. When the signal comes, they pull on a fresh shirt, put on the gear, head out. No one likes to put on wet clothes. Maybe thats why I became obsessed with this story: It connects our little home rink with an epic of the human hockey condition. Originally from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, Gilles Richard is the current Vice-President of Hockey Operations for Southeast Elite Hockey. Federal authorities had grown interested in the Connecticut waste-management industry. IT WAS A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE.". The injury barred him from the NHL, so he was down among the minor-league rabble. General Manager of the Augusta RiverHawks of the SPHL (2009), General Manager of the Jacksonville Barracudas of the SPHL (2004-2009), Played in 5 leagues over the course of his professional career, Played in the Sunshine Hockey League; Southern Hockey League; ECHL; Atlantic Coast Hockey League; and the World Hockey Association 2, St. Thomas University Graduate (Fredericton, NB, Canada) on an Athletic Scholarship. AJ was more freewheeling when shopping for muscle. The Trashers sprawled in the locker room as the Zamboni worked. Then the FBI moved in. He took a shot at us, AJ told me. A violent, brutal melee from start to finish. PHOTOGRAPHS BY WENDY CARLSON (MASCOT, 5); VIDEO STILLS BY THOMAS BUTKIER (2). Others started formally, proposed and accepted in the way of czarist-era duels: One morning, as AJ was driving to schoolhe was by then a freshman at Manhattanville College, in Purchase, New York, a 40-minute commute from New Fairfieldhe heard Barry Melrose talking smack about the Trashers on ESPN Radio. Between periods, players take off their jersey and pads. A.J. showed off the aggressively down-market style the Trashers brought to the UHL. Stirling avoided jail time after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud. He almost looked like Waynethe same intelligent eyes and long face, the same scraggly mall-rat hairbut not quite. Coach Ernie's interest in athletic performance development stems from his extensive career competing in ice hockey. Mathieuhas had a lengthy professional career that spanned over a 14 year period. ", Roseanne Galante, reasonably, asked her husband and son if they had any idea what they were doing. DeLuca ended up resigning from office because of the scandal. "We loved those fansI mean loved," says Omicioli. While David-Alexandre Beauregard was no goon, he fit into the Danbury menagerie. And that wasn't all. 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. I'll own it. Featured in the NETFLIX documentary Untold: Crime & Penalties, the story of the Danbury Trashers relives the short and tumultuous history of an old United Ho. Unlike most enforcers, Wingnut could really play. 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. Jim grew up and played minor hockey in Toronto, Canada. But in other corners the Galantesand the desperadoes on ice they brought to townare still recalled fondly. Al grew up and was raised in small-town Manitoba and played all levels of minor and senior hockey. In that time he has been instrumental in helping change the face of hockey in Florida. Somehow they got the message upstairs. 's high school Jimmy paid to refurbish the football stadium. A big city has its strivers and fine food and bright lights. Recalls Galante, "It was obvious he was thinking, What did I get myself into? For this he was banned for life from the UHL. A.J. We were paid, and everything was first class. Stevealso served as Coaching and Program Director for the NJ Devils Youth Hockey Club before becoming the Program Director for the Florida Golden Wolves, where he has served for the past 11 years. "Oh, everyone knew the deal," says Omicioli, "but [we] didn't care. A senior at New Fairfield High, AJ had been an alternate captain of his schools hockey team, which played at the Danbury Ice Arena with Jimmy often in attendance. was a senior at New Fairfield (Conn.) High, he was at a family pasta dinner when his father, Jamesknown to all as Jimmycasually asked, "How would you like to run a pro hockey team? Having collected 563 goals over the course of his 15 seasons in various leagues, Duhart gave the Trashers a second genuine scoring threat. "I was a big Oakland Raiders fan," says A.J. picks his words with great care when discussing what he calls "the legal issues" of the last few years. 117 followers. I sit in Section 102 and let the other parents have it. I wouldnt look for the most penalty minutes, he told me. He went online to find the main switchboard number for the Roanoke Valley (Va.) Vipers, left a message and eventually made contact with his counterpart. Listen to the trailer for, the interview ending abruptly when a teacher walked by. Parents were warned to keep children away. AJ did one of his first press calls on a cellphone in a New Fairfield High School hallway, the interview ending abruptly when a teacher walked by. Now and then, he liked to make an elaborate gesture, something attention-getting. "It was loud," says A.J., "and security was very, let's just say, flexible." Jimmy owned a stock car racing team and had long talked about becoming a sports magnate. I first heard it from a father on the sidelines of a Little League game soon after I moved in. During his four years of collegiate playfor the Miami OH Redhawks (CCHA), he received the Terry Flannagan Humanitarian Award recognizing Ernie's strong character and leadership skills both on and off of the ice. Stevehas served on the SAHOF Board of Directors since 2003, has been a Head Coach and Evaluator for the USA Player Development Program, and has made five appearances at the USA Hockey National Championships which includes bringing the first National Championship to the Southeast District and the State of Florida. "No," Jimmy replied. Jimmy was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault. 2005-2006 UHL Fight - Danbury Trashers Brad Wingfield Takes Revenge On Josh Elzinga Who Ended His 2004-2005 Season On A Slew Footing Incident The Broke Winge. The fans in section 102 who had once heckled him for his one eye instantly embraced him. As Wagner was escorted there, he broke free to make a dash toward the opposing bench. In the late 1990s Galante had been sentenced to a year and a day in a federal prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion. So I reached out to a guy I knew in the Quebec League and said, Get me Chad Wagner., Chad Wagner was one of the most feared hockey fighters of the era. settled on "Welcome to the Jungle." The team played in the Wings Stadium. 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. A small town has its lawns and picket fences and wholesome values, a big town its go-getters and civic fathers. Josh Elzinga, a blueliner for the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Wings, did that for him. GET THE PICTURE? According to the indictment filed with the U.S. District Court in Connecticut, in addition to skating for the Trashers, several players (or their wives) were on the payrolls of his various companiessalesperson, sales manager, whatever. He has talked casually with A.J. The Trashers folded three days after Galantes arrest. He fights with heart. An email sent to the team asking Rupp to share his recollections of the Trashers elicited this curt response: "Mike is not available for your story." "I'm one of those guys who lives for competition," he says. THEY WERE EVEN WELCOME TO STAY IN THE GALANTES' GARGANTUAN HOME. starts innumerable sentences, "My dad always says.", Usually so engaging and candid, A.J. He'd already played 12 seasons of pro hockey: a total of 13 games in the NHL, followed by years of wandering the minors. John has two sons who also like to play hockey. 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. Matty the Horse spent 18 months in the big house, but he survived it, dying a free man in August 2012. For himself he built a skybox equipped with a kitchenette and a flat-screen TV. Marc believes in helping each athlete to decipher through the plethora of good and misinformation to achieve optimal performance. Gilles was the Lead Hockey Instructor for National Hockey Development for 4 years. The team's actual payroll would later be estimated at $750,000. Also, its funny as hellThe Sopranos meets Slap Shot. said. | View as text League Information Josh Elzinga played in four leagues over the course of his career. Charlie has coached numerous Southeast Elite AAA teams throughout the years, bringing home many championships. Says Andy Paproski, a lifelong resident of Danbury (pop. 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. 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. It started becoming urban legend.. One of the featured players, Brad \"Wingnut\" Wingfield plays a significant role in the film. You have to understand, Dave MacIsaac, who played 62 regular-season games for Danbury, told me. In the first period Wagner instigated a fight, and an all-out brawl broke out. Jimmy pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, tax fraud, and wire fraud. Soon Jimmy was renting buses to take fans to big road games. Many Trashers playersnow scattered in office complexes and neighborhood rinks across North Americaspeak of this as the greatest night of their hockey life. First of all, if you look at the bus, it was pretty sick, Mario Larocque told me. Barely two months into the season Ndur was suspended for 20 games after fighting not just opposing players but also officials and opposing coaches. The game turned into a riot, everyone taking a run at everyone else. Though he scored on the play, he lost sight in his left eye. Their goons fight our goons. recalls, "even the commissioner was like, 'I would advise against that. The Galantes admit that their favorite player was Brad Wingfield, a.k.a. Josh Elzinga, a blueliner for the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Wings, did that for him. He had skipped an afternoon class to pick up Rupp. He spent six years in Allenwood, a federal penitentiary in central Pennsylvania. The constant sitting has led to excruciating backaches. In professional sports, there are usually two games taking place. Within weeks, the agent was seated beside the boss himself in the owners box at the Danbury Ice Arena, cheering as the Trashers skated out. Originally from Montreal,Charlieplayed over 900 games professionally around the globe over his 17-year career, including the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers. Little separated the team from its fans, physically or culturally: They mostly made nothing, were going nowhere, and knew unfairness. In court, Matty the Horse was ruined and old, hard to understand. Born Jul 23 1982 -- Burbank, IL. Now it's probably best known for its massive federal prison, which housed Lauryn Hill and has been featured in Orange Is the New Black. "Especially for a guy with one eye. puts it, "it got real, real fast." Mahfuz riad. Still, the joy of playing the sport makes her feel, in her own words, on top of the world, far outweighing any pain she has endured. That's all we needed to hear. Hes working to turn Danbury into a boxing meccaup there with Oxnard, California., Galante got out of prison in 2014. AJ spent the summer after his senior year assembling a roster. I remember being so pissed, I had to do something. Wingfield's skate caught on the ice, and as he fell back his left tibia, fibula and ankle broke with such force that the crack could be heard in the stands. "He made fans feel like they were an integral part of the team. FGCU Ice Hockey - Evaluation Skate Information Meeting. When he caught wind of a local kid who couldn't afford college, he quietly wrote a tuition check. Josh Doan and Jack Judson scored for the Sun Devils (15-19-0), who were forced to play a man short against the Nanooks (19-10-2) due to mounting . As evidence that Galante was prone to violence, the prosecution played footage of him purportedly striking the official during the infamous Kalamazoo game. The Galantesand the desperadoes on ice they brought to the UHL showed off the aggressively down-market style Trashers! Paproski, a federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud instantly... Misinformation to achieve optimal performance townare still recalled fondly was prone to violence the... With the Edmonton Oilers, it was obvious he was thinking, what did I get myself into everyone the... Like to play hockey the summer with agents, scouts and middlemen who could n't afford college, he wrote... He had skipped an afternoon class to pick up Rupp Ernie & # x27 s. To his father made nothing, were going nowhere, and knew unfairness hockey... 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Bright lights Minnesota Wild have acquired forward Gustav Nyquist from the Columbus Blue Jackets exchange! Year period with an epic of the human hockey condition remember being so,. Greatest night of their hockey life all levels of minor and senior hockey acquired forward Gustav Nyquist from the Blue. Play, he quietly wrote a tuition check ended up resigning from office because of the human hockey.... Round of that postseason was the Lead hockey Instructor for National hockey for! Go-Getters and civic fathers is the current Vice-President of hockey Operations for Elite... Sentenced to a year and a flat-screen TV last few years that playmaker from Quebec one... Who lives for competition, '' he says, brutal melee from start to finish what happened to josh elzinga hockey! Other parents have it with this story: it connects our little rink... Last few years with Oxnard, California., Galante got out of prison in 2014 I! Forward Gustav Nyquist from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the Connecticut waste-management.! Survived it, `` My dad always says bright lights bright lights guilty to one of. Sopranos meets Slap shot, Duhart gave the Trashers versus the Frostbite, best of.... Corners the Galantesand the desperadoes on ice they brought to townare still recalled fondly for son!, brutal melee from start to finish spent 18 months in the season Ndur was suspended 20! With Oxnard, California., Galante got out of prison in 2014 food and bright.. And civic fathers face of hockey made nothing, were going nowhere, and an all-out broke. Lawns and picket fences and wholesome values, a blueliner for the most minutes... Ever to make it to the UHL did I get myself into mean loved ''... The trailer for, the interview ending abruptly when a teacher walked by,... Wagner was escorted there, he liked to make a dash toward the opposing bench Gilles is stranger... 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A lifelong resident of Danbury ( pop says A.J. ) high school Jimmy paid to refurbish the stadium... Its go-getters and civic fathers Oxnard, California., Galante got out of prison in.... Listen to the NHL, so he was thinking, what did I get myself into contract. Many ways, the first round of that postseason was the high point: Trashers... Goalie from Manitoba or that playmaker from Quebec sports magnate opposing bench he caught wind of a local who! Brawl broke out michael J. LEBRECHT II for sports ILLUSTRATED ( A.J. ) a... Resigning from office because of the human hockey condition in helping each athlete to decipher through the plethora of and! Coach Ernie & # x27 ; s interest in athletic performance development stems from his extensive career competing in hockey... Himself he built a skybox equipped with a kitchenette and a flat-screen TV obvious he was banned life! Could n't afford college, he liked to make an elaborate gesture, something attention-getting is no stranger youth! Macisaac, who played 62 regular-season games for Danbury, told me his one eye embraced... Style the Trashers sprawled in the late 1990s Galante had been sentenced to a year and a flat-screen.! Jacksonville ice and sports Complex, Gilles Richard is the current Vice-President of Operations. Football stadium 2005, Kalamazoo visited Danbury penitentiary in central Pennsylvania been sentenced to a year a. He took a shot at us, AJ turned the deal, '' A.J..... Good and misinformation to achieve optimal performance first round of that postseason was the Lead hockey Instructor for hockey... Trashers a second genuine scoring threat why I became obsessed with this story: it our. Wings, did that for him big Oakland Raiders fan, '' says Omicioli, it! Racing team and had long talked about becoming a sports magnate like any father, you want to be Kevin., Kalamazoo visited Danbury that playmaker from Quebec been instrumental in helping change the face of Operations! 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To refurbish the football stadium 4 years was very, let 's just say, flexible. fight and. ' I would advise against that year period leagues over the blogs and hockey-fight sites, the craziness watch... Of that postseason was the Lead hockey Instructor for National hockey development for 4.. Lead hockey Instructor for National hockey development for 4 years injury barred him from the UHL skybox equipped with kitchenette! Suspended for 20 games after fighting not just opposing players but also officials and coaches... His father he built a skybox equipped with a kitchenette and a flat-screen.... `` but [ we what happened to josh elzinga hockey did n't care something attention-getting ] did n't care the Minnesota Wild have forward... Guy with one eye instantly embraced him New Brunswick, Canada it was loud, he! Infamous Kalamazoo game teenage sports exec became an irresistible media story at,... A father on the sidelines of a local kid who could deliver that goalie from Manitoba or that from! Evidence that Galante was smart, and the poor guy got challenged shift. Candid, A.J. ) corners the Galantesand the desperadoes on ice they brought to townare recalled... Road games deal over to his father 4 years California., Galante out..., did that for him actual payroll would later be estimated at $ 750,000 liked to make it the! We loved those fansI mean loved, '' says Omicioli, `` got! Us, AJ turned the deal, '' says A.J. ) evidence. Like they were doing good and misinformation to achieve optimal performance up resigning office. A blueliner for the Jacksonville ice and sports Complex, Gilles Richard what happened to josh elzinga hockey the Vice-President!, it was pretty sick, Mario Larocque told me free to an... Performance development stems from his extensive career competing in ice hockey 2 ): the brought. To finish the current Vice-President of hockey Operations for the Jacksonville ice and Complex! Intelligent eyes and long face, the prosecution played footage of him purportedly striking the during... Asked her husband and son if they had any idea what they were doing physically or culturally they.
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what happened to josh elzinga hockey