Maple Ridge enforcer wins championship in comeback season

An old school hockey enforcer from Maple Ridge is celebrating a league championship in the minor pro leagues.

Daniel Amesbury won the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) championship with the Danbury Hat Tricks, who are based in Connecticut.

Shoey out of the Bauer boot! 🍺

🎥: @ames2bury pic.twitter.com/k52FYJE5Nw

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 17, 2023

On May 14 they beat the Carolina Thunderbirds 3-2 in overtime to take the Commissioner’s Cup.

Amesbury, who is six feet tall and 220 pounds, led the league in penalty minutes with 298 in just 29 games this season. The winger also had a goal and eight assists in the regular season. He played in five playoff games, and tallied a goal and another 47 minutes in penalties.

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In May of 2022, Amesbury won the King of the Rink hockey fighting pay-per-view competition, with a $15,000 first prize.

It’s been a comeback season for the 32-year-old, as he last played minor pro hockey for the Denver Cutthroats of the Central Hockey League in the 2013-2014 season.

Prior to that, he had played with minor pro teams including the Tulsa Oilers, Columbus Cottonmouths and Danville Dashers. He had also spent two seasons in Junior B hockey with his hometown Ridge Meadows Flames, including a memorable 2009-10 season when he had 28 points and 368 penalty minutes in 45 games.

The Championship Game Wrap! What a night! #RabbitsBaby #HatTricksHockey #Championship https://t.co/sbYEK56YjJ

— z - Danbury Hat Tricks (@DanburyHatTrick) May 15, 2023

The Hat Tricks see Amesbury as an important piece of their team. The FPHL will be holding an expansion draft as the league welcomes two new teams, and on Monday the Hat Tricks have listed their popular enforcer from Maple Ridge as one of their protected players, who will not be eligible to be taken from the team.

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