Mike Sgroi

Mike Sgroi
Born August 14, 1978
Toronto, ON, CAN
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 230 lb (100 kg; 16 st 6 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shoots Left
ECHL team
Former teams 		free agent
Albany River Rats
Binghamton Senators
Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Chicago Wolves
Colorado Eagles
Elmira Jackals
Evansville IceMen
Greensboro Generals
Idaho Steelheads
Johnstown Chiefs
Laredo Bucks
Lexington Men O' War
New Orleans Brass
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Pensacola Ice Pilots
Quad City Mallards
Rapid City Rush
Rockford Icehogs
Sheffield Steelers
Syracuse Crunch
Texas Brahmas
Toledo Storm
Utah Grizzlies
W-B/S Penguins
Wheeling Nailers
NHL Draft undrafted
Playing career 2000–present

Mike Sgroi (born August 14, 1978) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who is currently an unrestricted free agent. Sgroi was most recently a member of the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, his 28th team of his professional career.

Career

Early career

In 2005 while Sgroi was a member of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he participated in the Battle of the Hockey Enforcers, a made-for-TV event that featured enforcers from various minor leagues such as the ECHL, AHL, and the LNAH. The participants fought on-ice and in full equipment. Sgroi's fight against then-Sherbrooke St-Francois forward Jason Simon. Sgroi was declared the winner, but because the fight was stopped early, this caused the crowd of 2,000 people to boo the announcement.[1] Sgroi would also fight Bone and Hewitt that night. Sgroi made it to the final round before losing to eventual champion Dean Mayrand by split decision.[2]

2007-08

During the 2007-08 ECHL season, Sgroi was traded from Pensacola for Michael Cohen. Later that year, Sgroi set a career high in goals with 25 total, which quickly become a fan favorite in Johnstown.

2008-09

On January 24, 2008, Sgroi was traded to the Utah Grizzlies for future considerations. However, it was short-lived, as Sgroi only played one game with the Grizzlies before he was traded to the Elmira Jackals. After he was traded twice in one week, this alerted clubs to his availability. There were two clubs however that were said to be very interested in Sgroi's services, these were Coventry Blaze and Sheffield Steelers, both of who play in the top league in the United Kingdom. After a few weeks their interest was said to have died down.

2009-10

Sgroi started the season in training camp with the Rochester Americans[3] of the AHL. On September 28, 2009, Sgroi was cut from Amerks camp.[4] On November 2, 2009, Sgroi signed a one-year contract with the Laredo Bucks of the CHL[5] and wore jersey #22.[6] After a month with the team, Sgroi was waived by the Bucks on December 10, 2009.[5]

On January 26, 2010, the Elite Ice Hockey League Club Sheffield Steelers announced that they have signed Sgroi to a contract.[7] To make room for him, the Steelers released forward Brad Cruikshank.[7] Despite putting up 18 points in 20 games and providing the role of enforcer for the Steelers, the Steelers announced on May 20, 2010 that Sgroi would not be returning to the team.[8]

On October 22, 2010, the Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League signed Sgroi to a contract.[9]

2011-12

On August 18, 2011, the Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League signed Sgroi to a contract.[10]

2012-13

Sgroi signed a one-year contract with the CHL's Rapid City Rush on July 19, 2012.[11][12] Sgroi was released by the Rush on October 21, 2012. He was later signed by the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL.[13] Sgroi has been on and off of the Solar Bears' roster, having been signed and released three separate times within his two months with the team,[14][15][16] most recently been released on March 13, 2013.

Personal

References

  1. ↑ Enthusiastic crowd for Hockey Enforcers battle
  2. ↑ Hockey Fight in Canada; Quebec's LNAH is the world's toughest hockey league - and the fans love it, Toronto Sun, January 29 2007
  3. ↑ "Amerks Training Camp Roster Here". LetsGoAmerks.com. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  4. ↑ "Amerks Trim 12 Players From Roster". LetsGoAmerks.com. 2009-09-28. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 PointStreak.com: Laredo Bucks 2009-10 Transactions
  6. ↑ PointStreak.com: Mike Sgroi Player Page
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Sheffield Steelers Secure Enforcer Mike Sgroi". BBC Sport.com. 2010-01-26. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  8. ↑ "Thomas Stays, But Three Go". TheStar.co.uk. 2010-05-20. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  9. ↑ "Eagles Place Two on IR, Sign Sgroi". ColoradoEagles.com. 2010-10-21. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
  10. ↑ "Mike Sgroi is Evansvilles New Sheriff In Town In 2011-12". EvansvilleIcemen.com. 2011-08-18. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
  11. ↑ "Rush increase toughness and grit with signing of Gruenke & Sgroi". RapidCityRush.com. 2012-07-19. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
  12. ↑ Seth Rorabaugh (2012-07-20). "Empty Netter Assists - 07-20-12". Post-Gazette.com. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
  13. ↑ "SOLAR BEARS ADD SGROI, KUQALI; Veteran Forward, Defensemen Join Team". Orlando Solar Bears. January 15, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  14. ↑ ECHL.com: Transactions - January 24, 2013
  15. ↑ ECHL.com: Transactions - February 1, 2013
  16. ↑ ECHL.com: Transactions - March 13, 2013
  17. ↑ "Mike Sgroi Is Passionate About Hockey and Fighting". LetsGoAmerks.com. 2009-09-27. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Penguins Insider, Friday Post-Game". Citizensvoice.com. 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2010-09-13.

External links