Sgroi Joins Beast of the East
Published on November 17, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Elmira, NY - The Elmira Jackals announced today the signing of free agent left wing Mike Sgroi to a contract. Sgroi joins the team immediately and is expected to be in the lineup Friday against Fort Wayne.
Left wing Mike Sgroi brings size (6'5", 240 lbs), strength and another player with American Hockey League experience to the already talented Jackals lineup. The 28-year old Toronto native split the 2005-06 season between the Albany River Rats and the Syracuse Crunch. In the last two seasons of AHL action, Sgroi has played in 82 games, scoring 10 points (8 goals, 2 assists) and recording 239 penalty minutes.
"We are glad to welcome Mike to Elmira," said General Manager Robbie S. Nichols. "I know that he will add a significant dimension to our team's toughness and I am confident that he will be a big aspect for the Jackals."
Entering his 7th professionally season, Sgroi has played for teams in the AHL, ECHL and even the UHL, playing for the Quad City Mallards and the Rockford IceHogs during the 2001-02 season. Sgroi played one season of college hockey for the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, an NCAA Division I team in Hockey East.
"We think he will really help our team continue to improve," said Jackals Head Coach Kris Waltze. "His arrival comes at an opportune time for us, even though we were talking with him before J.F. Soucy decided to leave for Quebec. There is no question that Mike will be a huge physical presence and that he will more than fill the void left by Soucy's departure."
"I can already see how strong this team," said Sgroi. "I really like what I have seen from the guys so far and I want to contribute as best as I can to help make the team better."
The Jackals' latest addition is not just a tough customer on the ice; Sgroi is a Mixed Martial Artist and has an unbeaten record of 5-0 in professional MMA bouts. He has also competed in more than 200 Toughman bouts and loves to put on a show for the fans.
"I really enjoy playing to the crowd," said Sgroi, the latest addition to the Jackals lineup. "I play with a lot of passion and I think the fans in Elmira will appreciate the hard work and dedication that I bring to the ice. I will do the best I can to give the fans the best show possible and in turn I hope that our UHL opponents with have the willingness to compete with me."
In his spare time from hockey and MMA, Sgroi is a Pro Poker Player. On June 17th, 2005 he finished 27th out of 780 players in a World Series of Poker Event - a $1,500 No Limit Texas Hold'em Shootout at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino, involving well-know poker players like Phil Gordon and Russian tennis star Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
The Jackals will make their first trip of the season to Indiana to face off with the Fort Wayne Komets Friday night at 8:00 pm at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Elmira's next home game is on Wednesday November 22nd as they host the Chicago Hounds for the first of three games at the First Arena. Face off for Wednesday's game is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 17, 2006
- Rockford drops its first shootout decision of the season - Rockford IceHogs
- Komets Frost Jackals 8-1 - Elmira Jackals
- Flags Drop to Flint, 3-1 - Port Huron Flags
- Jackals and Magic FM Improve Webcast - Elmira Jackals
- Sgroi Joins Beast of the East - Elmira Jackals
- Busy weekend at Wings Stadium Complex - Kalamazoo Wings
- Reed Sorenson forced to cancel PrairieThunder appearance - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Chicago Hounds make it easy to bring your family to a game - Chicago Hounds
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
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