TEAM ROSTER

Ty Gallagher: Guaranteed future hall of famer Ty Gallagher was born in Seba Beach, Alberta, Canada. Drafted by St. Louis at age eighteen, Gallagher went on to become the teams first line center, team captain, and one of the league’s highest scoring, and most physical players. During his years in St. Louis he steered the team to three Stanley Cups. In 2003 Gallagher was acquired by the New York Blades in the hopes he might help bring the Cup to Met Gar. He didn’t disappoint: Gallagher led the Blades to the Cup in 2004. Gallagher then retired and moved behind the bench, replacing the legendary coach “Tubs” Mathias who was killed in a car crash after the 2004 season. As coach, Gallagher led the Blades to two more Stanley Cups before becoming the team's GM in 2009. Gallagher lives in Manhattan with his wife, Janna, and his son Patrick.

Michael Dante: Bensonhurst born Michael Dante jokes that he was “born with a hockey stick in one hand and a bowl of pasta in the other.” Traded to his native New York from Hartford just prior to the 2004 season, the hard hitting, hustling winger was one of the missing pieces who helped bring the Cup back to New York. Renowned for his relentless forecheck and ability to shut down opposing scorers, Dante was named team Captain after Ty Gallagher's retirement, but has now gone on to becoming the Blades' head coach. Michael resides in Bensonhurst, New York with his wife, Theresa and daughters, Dominica and Angelica, and son, Anthony. He’s co–owner of Dante’s Ristorante, a neighborhood fixture and team favorite.

Paul van Dorn: Dubbed the “Golden Boy” after being drafted to play for New York straight from winning an NCAA Championship at Cornell University, van Dorn made an immediate contribution to the team in 2005. By the end of his second year the Didsbury, Connecticut–born van Dorn was the team’s leading scorer. He remained the Blades top point producer, and one of the league’s premiere sharpshooters until forced to retire due to post concussion syndrome. His brilliant career lasted only five years but left a lasting impact on Blades fans. Currently van Dorn lives with his wife, Katie, and adopted son, Tuck, in Fallowfield, VT, where he is president of the local Youth Hockey Board.

David Hewson: The personification of “grace under pressure,” goalie David Hewson is a new addition to the New York Blades, replacing long time goalie Pierre LaRouche upon the latter’s reluctant retirement. Former goalie for the gritty Buffalo Herd, Hewson is a crowd favorite, his superstitious, pre game rituals legendary. Born and raised in Belle Plaine, Saskatchewan, Hewson currently resides in Manhattan with his girlfriend, Tierney.

Sebastian Ivanov: Ukranian born player Ivanov played twelve years in Russian and European hockey leagues before joining the Blades in 2009. A second line winger, his formidable presence on the ice has earned him the nickname "Ivan the Terrible." Ivanov currently resides in Manhattan, and is romantically involved with fashion designer Lennie Buckley.

Jason Mitchell: From the time he was a little boy playing pond hockey in North Dakota Jason Mitchell fantasized about one day playing for “the team of his dreams,” the New York Blades. Now his dream has come true. After three years of playing for the Minnesota Mosquitoes, the hard–hitting left winger was traded to New York in 2007. A high energy, sometimes impetuous player, Mitchell’s on–ice duels with his brother Eric, a defensement for New Jersey, have quickly become local legends. Mitchell lives in Manhattan with his Newfoundland Stanley, and is dating dog walker, Delilah Gould.

Eric Mitchell:Standout defenseman Eric Mitchell joined the Blades in a blockbuster trade. The former New Jersey Exit was obtained in exchange for fan favorite Guy LeTemp in an effort to add more offensive punch to the Blades' back line. Expected to quarterback the power play, Mitchell joins his twin brother Jason on the Blades, the first brother combination to play for the team since the legendary O'Learys in the 1940s. Eric, a fixture in the media since entering the league, is currently dating popular daytime actress Monica Geary.

Kevin Gill: Known as “Robin” to Ty Gallagher’s “Batman,” current Blades Assistant Coach Kevin played right wing with Gallagher during the St. Louis team’s legendary run of Stanley Cups. Born in Toronto, Gill came to New York together with Gallagher in 2003 and was the leading scorer on New York’s 2004 cup winning team. A dedicated family man, respected throughout the league for his communty service work, Gill lives in Chappaqua, NY with his wife, Abby, and sons Adam and Jacob.

Ulf Torkelson: Called “the Ulfinator” by opponents and teammates alike, defenseman Torkelson, was born in Uppsala, Sweden. Torkelson was recently acquired by the Blades in a trade with Ottawa, where he played for six years. Renowned for his tight checking and bruising hits, Torkelson lives in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Denny O’Malley: Hailing from Commack, New York, the long time Blades back up goalie is nicknamed “The Shamrock King,” thanks to his fierce pride in his Irish American heritage. Though often underrated, O’Malley has played a pivotal role in all the Blades Cup wins. He lives in Long Beach, NY with girlfriend, Suze.

Guy LeTemp: Famous for his refrigerator sized body and willingness to defend teammates if needed, defenseman LeTemp is a force to be reckoned with. Born in Montreal, LeTemp played three years for Calgary before being acquired by the Blades in 2003. LeTemp was traded in the 2008/2009 season for New Jersey defenseman Eric Mitchell.

Tully Webster: Known as being a throwback with old fashioned hockey values—tough, dedicated, and aggressive—Webster was born on Cape Breton island. The veteran defenseman hopes to play his entire career in New York, “the greatest city in the world.” Tully lives in Pound Ridge, NY with his wife, Chelsea, and their beloved Golden retriever, Marnie.

Barry Fontaine: Blades defenseman Barry Fontaine is the son of legendary Boston center Samuel “Sparky” Fontaine. Barry has followed in his father’s footsteps, famously claiming “a life without hockey is no life at all.” While an injury to his left knee forced him to miss the second half of last season, Fontaine is back for the 2007-08 season in a major way. A son of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Barry currently resides in Glen Ridge, NJ, with his wife, Molly, and sons Hull and Howe.

Thad Meyers: Quiet off the ice, but flashy on it, centerman Thad Meyers was traded to New York in 2002 from Denver. Meyers’s playmaking and clutch scoring have made him an on ice favorite. A native of the Detroit, Thad recently married his childhood sweetheart, Cindy. The two live in Armonk, New York.