Danbury Thrashers
| Danbury Trashers | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Danbury, Connecticut |
| League | United Hockey League |
| Division | Eastern Division |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Home arena | Danbury Ice Arena |
| Colors |
Black, Silver, Blue |
| Owner(s) | James Galante |
| General manager | A.J. Galante |
| Head coach |
Paul Gillis Todd Stirling |
Black, Silver, Blue
The Danbury Trashers are a defunct United Hockey League (UHL) ice hockey team that was located in Danbury, Connecticut. They were first established in 2004 as an expansion team named for their owner's business ventures. James Galante purchased the franchising rights for $500,000 and named his 17-year-old son, A. J., president and General Manager. As part of the franchising agreement, Galante invested an additional $1.5 million to upgrade the team's home arena, Danbury Ice Arena, from a 750-seat facility to a 3,000-seat venue.
In their first season, the Trashers set a league record for penalty minutes. The season witnessed two separate brawls and multiple player suspensions. Danbury finished second in their division and were eliminated in the playoffs by eventual Colonial Cup champions, the Muskegon Fury. In their second year the Trashers won the Eastern Division and in the playoffs advanced to the finals. Though they would lose the championship, Danbury handed the Kalamazoo Wings their only loss of the playoffs.
At the end of the team's second season, Galante was arrested on 72 various charges including conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). He pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 87 months of imprisonment, and had to forfeit his ownership interests in 25 trash hauling companies. During the same time the Trashers disbanded, citing financial concerns, including travel costs.
The Danbury Trashers were founded as an expansion team in the United Hockey League (UHL) on April 1, 2004 by James Galante, a garbage disposal mogul, who paid a $500,000 franchise fee to the league. Galante had considered investing in the New Haven Knights prior to the franchise folding. He purchased the franchising rights after seeing the enthusiasm for hockey in Danbury at his son A. J.'s high school games. He also wanted to give A. J. experience in how to manage a professional sports franchise, naming him president and General Manager. A. J. was a 17-year-old high school student at the time and according to UHL commissioner Richard Brosal some around the league thought it was an April Fools' Day joke. After graduating high school Galante attended Manhattanville College while maintaining his organizational duties.
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