AJ Galante Returns as General Manager of Danbury Hat Tricks

AJ Galante is back in the hockey scene, stepping into the role of general manager for the Danbury Hat Tricks, a professional team in Connecticut.

“I believe there’s still a place in the game for toughness,” Galante stated, emphasizing his belief in the enduring value of intimidation in sports.

At 38, he reflects on his past with the Danbury Trashers, a team that gained notoriety through a Netflix documentary detailing its mob connections and extravagant player treatment.

The Trashers, named after the family’s garbage business, became infamous for their players receiving “no-show jobs” and cash payments until federal investigations unraveled the operation.

In 2008, Galante’s father, Jimmy, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including racketeering and fraud, leading to a significant forfeiture of assets valued over $100 million.

After serving seven years in prison, he was released in 2014. “It was a sad day when the Trashers folded,” AJ remarked, expressing his desire to honor that legacy with the Hat Tricks.

Since the release of the documentary, interest in Trashers merchandise surged, with celebrities like Drake and Fabolous donning jerseys featuring the team’s iconic logo.

Galante has since diversified his ventures, running a boxing gym and creating a hockey fight circuit called Ice Wars, before taking on an advisory role with the Hat Tricks.

The Hat Tricks are set to kick off their season on October 10 at Danbury Arena. “It’s going to be the 20 years later movie sequel,” he quipped, hinting at a revival of the team’s storied past.

While he embraces the physicality that characterized the Trashers, Galante is clear about his priorities. “I know what the fans here are starving for, and we want to bring the toughness back,” he said. “At the same time, if we’re not winning, it means nothing.”