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.

Sound Tigers Go Pink

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers took on the Norfolk Admirals for the second time in one weekend on Jaunary 15th.  This time, on pink ice.  The Admirals participate in an annual "Pink in the Rink" event where the ice is dyed pink to bring awareness to breast cancer and to help raise money for the Tidewater branch of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Some players on both teams even taped their sticks pink for the occasion.

You'll note the fourth photo, Dustin Tokarski is the Admirals goalie. No relation (that I know of.)  But I couldn't help but get a shot of the name.  Bridgeport's goalie, Joel Martin, who recently signed to a two-way contract and was assigned to Bridgeport, had 48 saves that night in his first start as a Sound Tiger, thats a season high for the team.  The Sound Tigers lost that evening 3-2 despite Martin's saves.

On Saturday, Ty Wishart (in photographs two and five) made his NHL debut with the New York Islanders against the Ottawa Senators.  Wishart had a two-assist night, and Islanders Head Coach Jack Capuano said, "For the speedy bunch of forwards that he had tonight I thought he played really well.  He was composed, he moved the puck, and he kept it simple.  He was pretty impressive to tonight."  The Isles went on to win 5-3.

In other Bridgeport/Islander news, goalie Mikko Koskinen (photo nine) was recalled from Bridgeport on February 5th.

Ty Wishart

Goalies Mikko Koskinen and Joel Martin.

Between the 2nd and 3rd period a jersey issue calls for the sewing machine to be brought out as the equipment manager goes to work.

Bridgeport V. Norfolk - Game 1

On Friday, January 14th, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers took on the Norfolk Admirals at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.  The Admirals first goal was just 3:03 into the game.  But just before the first period ended, the Sound Tigers tied up the game with a goal from number 25, Brett Motherwell. 

During a second period power play, the Admirals took the lead to make it 2-1.  But Michael Haley, 18, tied up the game.  That was short lived though, as the Admirals responded with another goal during their man-advantage to make it 3-2.  At the end of the second period a few punches were thrown as players were getting ready to head to the locker rooms.

Just 5 minutes into the third period the Admirals made it 4-2, and with 2:19 left in the game the Admirals stuck again to end the game at 5-2.  Goalie Mikko Koskinen, made 30 saves that night.

(Assistant Coach Matt Bertani)

Hockey in Virginia

This weekend I am out shooting the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  Here are some screen shots from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers website where my photos are used from last nights game. The Sound Tigers are taking on the Norfolk Admirals, in Norfolk, Virginia at the Scope Arena.  (The Admirals are the Tampa Bay Lightening NHL affiliate.)  Last nights game the Sound Tigers were defeated by the Admirals 5-2.  Tonight the match up beings at 7:15pm and will be played on pink ice.  The Admirals participate in an annual "Pink in the Rink" event where the ice is dyed pink to bring awareness to breast cancer and to help raise money for the Tidewater branch of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The second screen shot is about the recently signed  forward Olivier Labelle and defenseman Wes O'Neill to professional tryout contracts (PTO).  This is O'Neill's second PTO with the team. 

The third screen shot is for a preview on Saturday nights game.

Check back for more photos from each individual game. Have a great weekend everyone. Go Steelers!

It's been awhile...

I have not updated recently because I have been away.  I just returned from Bridgeport Connecticut.  Home of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers - AHL team to the New York Islanders.  My uncle is the assistant coach, and I was fortunate enough to photograph games this past weekend.  On Saturday they faced off against the Manchester Monarchs - AHL team to the Los Angeles Kings.  Here is part 1 of things that happened on my trip to Connecticut.