Danbury Hockey Icon AJ Galante Takes Over as Hat Tricks General Manager

July 16, 2025

DANBURY — The Danbury Hat Tricks announced today that AJ Galante has been promoted to General Manager for the 2025-26 season. Galante served as Senior Advisor to the General Manager during the 2024-25 campaign and now steps into a heightened leadership role guiding the team’s hockey operations and player personnel decisions.

Galante is a very familiar name in the Hat City and a central figure in Danbury’s rich hockey history. Best known as the general manager of the Danbury Trashers in the United Hockey League from 2004 to 2006, he gained national attention for his bold, unconventional management style and his ability to quickly build a physical, “bad-boy” reputation on the ice that branded the team as the “Evil Empire of the UHL.” Appointed at just 17 years old by his father, team president and owner Jimmy Galante, AJ assembled a hard-nosed, fan-favorite squad, inking players like NHLer and Stanley Cup champion Mike Rupp during the 2004-05 NHL lockout. The Trashers set the UHL record for penalty minutes in a season (576) and reached the league finals in their second season. The story was later chronicled in the Netflix documentary Untold: Crime & Penalties, cementing the team’s place as a cultural phenomenon.

“I can’t begin to describe the pride I feel in becoming general manager of the Hat Tricks,” Galante said. “Returning to the game last season reignited that hunger to bring Danbury hockey back to the top. I want to thank our ownership group for this incredible opportunity, which I do not take lightly. I’m excited to work alongside Nick Niedert and MJ Maerkl to build a team our fans can be proud of. As always, it’s Danbury vs. the world.”

After the Trashers, Galante transitioned into the world of professional boxing, where he has spent more than 15 years advising fighters, securing bouts, and promoting events. In 2015, he opened Champs Boxing Club in Danbury, training both professional and amateur fighters from across the country.

Additionally, Galante co-hosts the Talkin’ Trash podcast with former Hat Tricks enforcer Daniel Amesbury, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and perspectives on hockey culture.

AJ coming on board as the general manager is sending a message to our fans and the hockey world that they should be ready for a hard-hitting, high-energy, maximum-speed, action-packed season," team president Herm Sorcher said. "AJ was part of putting Danbury on the map as a hockey destination. Now he has a chance to take it to the next level and I can’t wait to see the Hat Tricks hit the ice. Fans are not going to want to miss the action…buckle up!"

As General Manager, Galante will oversee all player personnel decisions and hockey operations for the Hat Tricks as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The 2025–26 season is right around the corner and season tickets will be on sale soon! To learn more about our ticket packages, email herm@danburyhattricks.com. To stay up to date on all things Danbury Hat Tricks hockey, go to www.danburyhattricks.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube (@DanburyHatTricks), sign up for the Hat Tricks' newsletter here, and find game materials—game notes, line charts, and media guides updated every game here.

ABOUT DANBURY HAT TRICKS:

The Danbury Hat Tricks are a professional hockey team based in Danbury, CT and compete in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). Since their founding in 2019, the 2023 Commissioner's Cup Champions have brought thrilling, fast-paced, and hard-hitting hockey to the Danbury Ice Arena, earning a reputation for their competitive spirit, electric atmosphere and strong community ties. The team is dedicated to providing an unforgettable game-day experience for fans of all ages while proudly representing the city of Danbury.

Off the ice, the Hat Tricks are committed to fostering connections within the local community through outreach programs with schools, businesses and charities. By developing top-tier hockey talent and growing the sport in the region, the Hat Tricks aim to bring the community together and deliver entertainment that leaves a lasting impact.