Trashers acquire Belanger and Gagnon from Flint in major trade

March 17, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Danbury Trashers News Release


Danbury, CT—The Danbury Trashers, proud members of the United Hockey League have acquired the rights to forward Jonathan Gagnon and forward Francis Belanger in a trade with the Flint Generals, it was announced.

Belanger, 27, started the season with the Richmond RiverDogs, where he scored 52 points on 26 goals in 63 games. The Bellefeuille, PQ native previously played with teams in the AHL, ECHL and QSMHL during his professional career that started during the 1998-99 season. The 6-2, 227 lb forward also skated for 10 games with the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL during the 2000-01 season. Belanger is currently playing in his 7th professional season.

Gagnon, 24, also started the season with Richmond, where he scored 35 points on 18 goals before leaving to join Sherbrooke St. Francis of the LNAH, where he has scored 20 points on eight goals in 15 games. Gagnon is expected to join the Trashers at the end of the LNAH season. The 6-1, 198 lb forward previously dressed for teams in the CHL, ECHL and AHL as well as the UHL. The Longueil, PQ native is currently in his 5th professional season.

Neither Belanger nor Gagnon played a game for Flint, who acquired the pair in a trade with Richmond on March 12th along with goaltender Nathan Grobins in exchange for Jim Duhart, Kris Waltze and Dan McIntyre. Danbury also gave Flint their first round pick in the 2004-05 North American Amateur Draft.

In exchange, the Danbury Trashers shipped rookie forwards Glen Zuck and Greg Goodnough to the Generals. Goodnough, 20, scored four points on two goals in 15 games with Danbury after spending three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Zuck, 28, didn't score a point in nine games with Danbury.

The Danbury Trashers return to the ice on Friday night at 7:30pm against Elmira, as the first 2,500 fans will receive a Danbury Trashers seat cushion courtesy of Prestone.

Tickets for all Trashers games can be purchased online at DanburyTrashers.com, or by calling 866-565-PUCK during business hours. The Trashers team shop at the Danbury Ice Arena is open from Noon-5pm on Sunday, Noon-6pm on Monday, Noon-7pm on Tuesday through Friday, and from 9am-5pm on Saturday. Fans unable to attend any Trashers game may listen to the free audio webcast or purchase the B2 Live TV video feed with Phil Giubileo at DanburyTrashers.com.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 17, 2005


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