Mike Sgroi
Mike Sgroi | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 14, 1978 Canada |
| Occupation | Professional ice hockey player (retired) |
| Years active | –2017 |
Mike Sgroi (born August 14, 1978) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey athlete. His final team was the Orlando Solar Bears in the ECHL, marking the 28th organization he represented during his professional tenure.
Early career
In August 2005, Sgroi took part in the Battle of the Hockey Enforcers held in Prince George, British Columbia. This televised competition featured enforcers from various minor leagues, predominantly from Quebec's LNAH. At that time, Sgroi was unique as the sole participant actively rostered on an AHL team. He progressed through the group stage by defeating NHL veteran Jason Simon and Jason Bone, along with a forfeit victory over John Hewitt. Advancing further, Sgroi secured a semifinal win via TKO against Steve Reid but ultimately lost the championship match to Dean Mayrand by split decision.
2007–08
During the 2007–08 ECHL campaign, Sgroi was traded from Pensacola in exchange for Michael Cohen. That season, he achieved a personal best with 25 goals and became highly popular among fans in Johnstown.
2008–09
On January 24, 2008, Sgroi was traded to the Utah Grizzlies for future considerations but appeared in only one game before being moved to the Elmira Jackals. This swift sequence of trades underscored his availability and drew interest from leading UK league teams such as Coventry Blaze and Sheffield Steelers; however, their pursuit diminished after several weeks.
2009–10
Sgroi attended the Rochester Americans training camp in the AHL at the start of the season but was released on September 28, 2009. Subsequently, on November 2, he signed a one-year deal with the Laredo Bucks of the CHL, donning jersey number 22. After approximately one month, he was waived on December 10.
The Elite Ice Hockey League club Sheffield Steelers signed Sgroi on January 26, 2010, replacing forward Brad Cruikshank to accommodate him. During his tenure, he tallied 18 points across 20 games while fulfilling enforcer duties. Despite this contribution, the Steelers announced on May 20, 2010, that Sgroi would not be returning.
On October 22, 2010, Sgroi inked a contract with the Colorado Eagles of the CHL.
2011–12
The Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League added Sgroi to their roster on August 18, 2011.
2012–13
Sgroi agreed to a one-year contract with the CHL's Rapid City Rush on July 19, 2012; however, he was released by October 21 of that year. He then joined the Orlando Solar Bears in the ECHL, experiencing multiple transactions—signed and released three times within two months—before his final release on March 13, 2013.
He concluded his professional hockey career following the conclusion of the 2016-17 ECHL season.
Personal
- Outside of hockey, Sgroi is involved in mixed martial arts and instructs muay thai during offseasons. An Elmira Jackals press statement noted that he began his MMA career undefeated with a record of 5–0.
- He is an avid poker player and has participated in tournaments, achieving a notable finish of 27th place out of 780 competitors at a World Series of Poker event.
- Sgroi is featured as a free agent character in EA Sports' 2010 video game NHL Slapshot.
- He currently lives in Orlando, Florida.