Trashers ink pair of experienced player in State and Bellefeuille

Published on October 13, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Danbury Trashers News Release


DANBURY, CT—The Danbury Trashers, proud members of the United Hockey League have signed forward Blake Bellefeuille and defenseman Jeff State, it was announced today by Team President A.J. Galante.

Bellefeuille, 27, is entering his first season in the United Hockey League (UHL) after he split time last year between Providence and Norfolk of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he scored five goals and eight assists for 13 points in 66 games.

The 5'10'' 208 lb Framingham, MA native registered a personal best 12 goals during the 2002-03 season while a member of the AHL's Syracuse Crunch. He added 19 assists for a career- high 31 points in 63 games. The former Boston College standout has also played five games in the NHL for the Columbus Blue Jackets between the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons and recorded one assist.

State, 25, is another large physical defenseman that will patrol the Danbury blue line this season. Entering his 3rd professional season and first in the UHL, the 6'6'' 215 lb Tonawanda, NY native is coming off of a career year that was split between Charlotte of the ECHL and Hartford of the AHL. He recorded a career-best 10 assists in 58 games.

During his rookie season in 2002-03, State scored two goals and added six assists in 58 games for Charlotte and Hartford along with 168 penalty minutes. Prior to turning professional, State skated with Merrimack College for two seasons and was in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with Omaha and Dubuque.

"Blake Bellefeuille gives us another talented skill player who is capable of being a scorer at this level while Jeff State is an imposing force that will be part of the largest and strongest corps of defensemen in the league," said Galante.

The Trashers will begin their inaugural season at the Danbury Ice Arena on Friday, October 15th against Adirondack starting at 7:30pm. Season ticket packages are available by calling the Trashers Front Office at 1-866-565-PUCK. Single game tickets are available online at http://www.danburytrashers.com. Ticket office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 13, 2004


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