AJ Galante is back, and he’s eager to shake things up.
The 38-year-old, once a teenager in charge of a hockey team linked to the Netflix story about the mob, has accepted the role of general manager for the Danbury Hat Tricks, a minor professional team in Connecticut.
“I think there’s still room for toughness in the game,” Galante shared with the Post.
Back in 2021, the narrative of how his father, Jimmy, made AJ the general manager of the Danbury Trashers—named after their family’s garbage business—became a hit on Netflix.
The documentary portrayed how Trashers players were treated like stars, often receiving “no-show” jobs and under-the-table payments until the FBI started their investigation.
In June 2008, Galante Sr. pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including assault and conspiracy to commit fraud.
He lost interest in 25 garbage-related companies, which were valued at over $100 million.
He was released from prison in 2014 after serving a seven-year sentence.
“It was a tough moment when the Trashers folded, but the legacy endures. I’m thrilled to write some new history with the Hat Tricks,” said the now married father of two.
Following the Netflix release, interest surged for Danbury Trashers jerseys, even catching the attention of celebrities like Drake and Fabolous.
More recently, Galante has been managing the Danbury Boxing Gym and helped develop a UFC-style hockey fighting league called Ice Wars, alongside his role as a senior advisor for the Hat Tricks’ former general manager.
The Hat Tricks, part of the Federal Hockey League, are set to kick off their season at the Danbury Arena on October 10.
“I see this as a sequel to the movie, maybe 20 years down the line,” Galante remarked.
“I’m all in on this.”
While he embraces the grit that made Danbury’s Trashers notable, Galante emphasizes the importance of winning.
“We know the fans are eager for action, so we want to bring back that toughness,” he explained.
“But at the end of the day, if we don’t win, what does it matter?”
