News release
17 November 2006
New Forward Mike Sgroi Skating Against Flint Saturday (photo courtesy of Mike Gurnsey)
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 (65, 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.
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.
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.
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 Holdem 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. Elmiras 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 Wednesdays game is scheduled for 7:05 pm.