Ice Wars will be reincarnation of Battle of Hockey Enforcers

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Don Cherry, eat your heart out.

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It’s the return of the Battle of the Hockey Enforcers and none other than the notorious Galante family of Danbury, Conn., will be involved. It essentially will be prize fighting on ice.

For those hockey fans not in the loop, one-time Gambino crime family associate Jimmy Galante bought a hockey team for his 17-year-old son, A.J. The result was the infamous Danbury Trashers of the United Hockey League.

The family and the team were recently profiled in an acclaimed — and very funny — Netflix documentary entitled ‘Untold: Crimes and Penalties,’ chronicling the team’s two seasons starting in 2006.

“I remember the buzz this event had back in 2006, even here in Danbury,” A.J. Galante said in a release. “I always love outside-the-box thinking and unique ideas, and Hockey Enforcers had all that. My father and I are beyond excited to be part of this organization.”

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Galante stated the event has been rebranded as Ice Wars and the first show is expected to take place this spring.

“Ice Wars will not be a one and done, we are basically creating a new combat sport. This won’t be the first time I got involved with something from scratch, this will be something new and different, and I believe we can entice more than just hockey fans to tune in,” he said.

“We are willing to take risks and try innovative ideas, and we are looking forward to listening to fans on what’s most important to them. We are a sport, but more importantly, we are entertainment.”

And that was always the key with the Danbury Trashers. A.J. had been a hockey nut since he was a kid but he also loved the spectacle of professional wrestling and he melded the two. Even at 17 years old, his entrepreneurial acumen was on display as the president and general manager of the team.

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In 2006, there was another event going on across the continent in Prince George, B.C. The city played host to the Battle of The Hockey Enforcers.

More than 2,000 fans filled the CN Centre to watch a single-night fight tournament of 15 competitors – made up of enforcers from the minor and senior hockey leagues.

Fans wanted more but follow-up events never materialized. Until now.

Almost 16 years later, the Hockey Enforcers promotional group have partnered with Jimmy and A.J. Galante to become part of the organization.

Galante said many cities are lined up to host the first Ice Wars but no decision has been made.

Pay-Per-View distributors are also interested in carrying the events, he added.

Fans can stay up to date on all Ice Wars social media platforms – Instagram, Twitter, TikTok – @iceiswar.

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@HunterTOSun