Shocking news for the Danbury hockey community.

Get our free mobile app

Danbury Hat Tricks star player Daniel Amesbury has been suspended indefinetly. The announcement was made via FPHL press release on Monday (1/15/24). Here is the entire release:

DANIEL AMESBURY SUSPENSION & PROCEDURE CHANGE

Binghamton, NY - Effective immediately, the FPHL has decided to place Daniel Amesbury on an Indefinite Suspension from the league. He will no longer be allowed to participate in any practices or on ice functions at any capacity with any team in the FPHL. This decision has come after much discussion over the past few weeks with members of our league Board of Governors, attorney’s, & FPHL Staff. The leagues dedication to improving player safety comes first and foremost. The FPHL has the right to deny any personnel from participating in FPHL games if its deemed in the best interest of the league.

Procedures concerning suspensions from other Professional Leagues

Suspensions from other Professional Leagues:

The FPHL honors all suspensions from Professional Hockey Leagues in North America and any player under suspension will not be allowed to join an FPHL team until the suspension has been served regardless if the player is still an active member of that team or not. The FPHL has the right do deny any Standard Player Contract or Professional Try-Out Agreement if it is in the best interest of the league.

The FPHL will continue its efforts to make improvements to better the safety of its players and on ice officials.

The FPHL is a Single-A Minor Professional hockey league operating in its 14th season during 2023-24.  You can also visit the FPHL at Federal Prospects Hockey League on Facebook.

We talked about this on the I-95 Morning Show for the last few days starting on Tuesday (1/16/24).

Check out the Ethan, Lou & Large Dave Podcast on Apple and Spotify

I've asked all around town, reaching out to all my connections and no one seems to know why this is happening. Everyone I speak with tells me that he's done nothing on, or off the ice that would warrant a suspension like this. Danbury Hat Tricks fans are understandably upset. Here are some of the comments from the Hat Tricks fan page on Facebook:

Judy A.A.: "Protest if we knew where FPHL headquarters was."

Ryan Carlson: "Judy Andersen Abdalla it's in Binghamton. You surprised??"

Richard Matzinger: "This is wrong on many levels!"

Anthony Nyg: "Lawsuit."

Ryan Carlson: "Oh his suspension got longer while serving his current suspension. I was at that game. That hit was nothing !!! They are p-------ng this league. The game Saturday was the weakest I've seen. Little school girl Kirkby wouldn't even drop the gloves. I'm paying to see old fashioned hockey . This isn't the NHL . Let's all contact the league. Moderator please post the contact info for these black bear fans in the Binghamton league home office."

Will B: "Boycott the Fed!"

Daniel Devine Jr.: "This is why they need to have player union/representation for the boys. 1 player per team."

UPDATE: We wanted some additional fan perspective so we reached out to a Hat Tricks super fan and friend of the show Ron Rogell.

Fans have circulated a petition to get Amesbury back on the ice. Here is how it reads:

"In light of recent events with the creation of rule changes mid-season which have led to unnecessary suspensions and bans against players and staff in the FPHL, several groups of fans around the league have come together in protest against these actions. Many people refuse to see the real issue, only seeing the ban of Hat Tricks player Daniel Amesbury as a good thing due to his reputation on the ice, but don't realize the logistics of it and ignore that this could happen easily to any player now at any time with any past suspensions, intent to injures, repeat offending status, etcetera. Fans and families of players alike are sick of the targeted bullying from the league, and the playing of the "What's good for one isn't good for the other" card. We hope you will join us in this petition to reinstate the players and staff who have been wronged by these changes." 

As I write this there are 320 signatures on the petition, I think we can help get that number way up so please sign it. The petitioner's next goal is 500.

Amesbury does a podcast called "Talkin' Trash" with former Danbury Trashers President AJ Galante. I touched base with AJ and Amesbury in a group text to offer my support and let them know the I-95 Morning Show is here if they need anything. I've yet to hear from Amesbury but AJ did get back and offer this: "Thanks Lou..trying to gather some facts etc..absoluetly insane. Thanks for having our back pal."

I've also sent information requests out to fans and DHT President Herm Sorcher. Sorcher told me "we are still getting a few things organized. We will have more a statement shortly."

UPDATE: Amesbury released a statement:

More updates as I get them.

Here's my theory: Jealousy. Opposing teams are tired of the success of the Danbury Hat Tricks organization. They are jealous that Danbury has a packed house for almost every game. They are jealous that Amesbury kicks the crap out of their players. They are jealous of Amesbury's success with the podcast and "Rough N' Rowdy." They are upset at Amesbury's connection to the Galante family. This is a transparent b--- ass maneuver.

Everyone who is not from Danbury, wants to be. There has never been a city as small as ours that has generated as much excitement, press and success in all fields.

"Danbury: They hate us cause they ain't us."