Trevor Gillies No Longer Gives Me Nightmares

I sat down in the bleachers of Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with the Bridgeport Soundtigers left wing enforcer, Trevor Gillies to talk about fighting, leadership and family before his season ended this year. The Soundtigers are the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders.  I'll have to admit, I was intimidated. Being from Pittsburgh I had the vision of him taunting Pittsburgh Penguin Eric Tangradi from the runway while he lay concussed on the ice. (Gillies received a 9 game suspension from this incident.) As soon as the interview began his animated, genuine and easy going attitude immediately made me comfortable. 

It's no surprise Gilles has 8 years of boxing experience under his belt, but in the past 5 he has been honing his fighting skills with Mixed Martial Arts coach Chris Elms in Augusta Georgia. Elms has A BJJ Brown Belt, Judo Black Belt and is also the former I.S.C.F. middleweight MMA champion. “Being from the south he didn’t know a lot about hockey fighting,” said Gillies. “But we took things that will work from martial arts and incorporated them into hockey.” Gillies noted that there is more of a science behind it now and that he isn’t just “chuckin em” like he was when he was younger. “If you watch my fights I’m more of a technician. I’m more prepared with blocking and cross grabs amongst other things…  but, I don’t want to give it all away here,” he joked.

He may not want to give it all away, but Gillies has shared some tips with his teammates in Bridgeport, like Steve Oleksy, Blair Riley, and Brett Gallant. "There’s a lot of tough dudes in this league but not as many as there once were. We’re kind of a dying breed and hopefully we can keep it around," said Gillies. "Even for the really skilled guys, fighting is never a bad thing to learn. They need to know how to defend themselves. We need them in the line up and we don’t want them getting hurt." 

As one of the oldest on the team at 33, Gillies took on a “big brother” role that he’s already familiar with, growing up the eldest in his family. “We have so many leaders on the team just not the captain and the assistants. Even though I'm not in the line up every night, the guys know that Im there for them. The main thing is just being a piece of the puzzle, as long as at the end of the year, if you have a puzzle and all the pieces add up, that’s when you win a championship. That’s part of being a good teammate.”

Gillies may be known for his fighting and that badass handlebar mustache, but off the ice he’s a family man. Wanting to give his kids a “home base,” this was the first in over 9 years that his family, wife Danielle, stepson Phoenix, 11, and daughter Danni Ryan, 4 weren’t with him during the season. “I get labeled all different kind of things.  But I think you judge a man by what kind of dad he is. I take great pride in trying to be the best dad I can. This year has been rough without them around, but we’ve got Skype and phone calls.” said Gillies. 

Gillies heads home to his family this summer as an unrestricted free agent.

While I didn't have the nerve to bring up that crazy game in February vs the Pittsburgh Penguins, I can say I will no longer have nightmares of Trevor Gillies beating down my home team. I have learned there is more to the man than just his brutish persona on the ice.

Brooks Richard

I am officially an aunt!  On the evening of Sunday the 15th we got the call that my sister in law Shana's water broke.  Shana and my brother Marc live in Viriginia Beach so my parents and I quickly packed some clothes and hopped in the car to start the 7 hour journey to Virginia!  (Of course we also bought the much needed travel snacks.  Twizzlers, pretzel rods, and M&M's.)  Once we arrived, took a trip to the vending machines and attempted a snooze on waiting room couches my brother came in to let us know a bouncing baby boy was welcomed into the world.  Congratulations to Marc and Shana on the newest addition to their family, Brooks Richard!  I can't wait to spoil this little nugget like crazy.

This photo makes me smile. Three generations of Tokarski's, my dad, brother, and nephew.

My brother changing his very first diaper! Ah!!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Cooper

This wedding was extra special to me because the beautiful bride here is my cousin!  While it was a challenge to be in the wedding party and shoot, I loved every minute of it!  Sarah and and Andrew held their ceremony and reception at a barn last weekend.  The new Mrs. Cooper rode in on a black horse where she was helped off by the barn owner and then greeted by her father to walk her down the isle. (Being a part of the bridal party I didn't get to snap any of these happenings.)  After the ceremony we had so much fun shooting in the field and with horses. She always modeled for me in school hah so ended up doing our own little shoot while the groom and his friends relaxed before the reception.  Here is a sneak peek.  Welcome to the family Andrew! Love you both!

Time to Meet Skylar

Remember Laura and Allen?  They were expecting Skylar in a few weeks when we took their maternity pictures!

Now she is here!! I'd like to introduce everyone to Miss Skylar Jane.  She was wide awake the whole shoot and did so well.  She only needed a few breaks to eat :)  Mom and Dad were so helpful with each set change and Skylar was on her best behavior.  She finally started to fall asleep right at the end when we shot with her First Teddy Bear (you can see how comfy she got, hah!) Then got even more comfy when she went into Mom's dirt bike helmet!  Thanks again to Mom and Dad for making this a great photo shoot.  Congrats on your beautiful new addition. 

Laura, Allen... and Skylar

Laura and Allen are expecting their first child in the next 5 weeks.  They are such an adorable couple, and so comfortable with each other in front of the camera!  This was such a fun shoot.  I shot their engagement portraits a while ago, it's been fun following their little family as they grow :)  I can't wait to take pictures of little Skylar once she's here.  Heres hoping for an smooth and healthy delivery for Mom, Dad, and Baby! Congratulations.