Mercer Co.'s New Pro Hockey Team Signs 5 Players With NJ Roots

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — The Trenton Ironhawks, the region's newest professional hockey team, joined New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill on the steps of the State House to announce the signings of five Jersey-born players Thursday, marking the franchise's first roster additions.

Luke Antonacci of Princeton, John Gelatt of Middletown, Anthony Firriolo of Towaco, Mikey Colella of Turnersville, and Nick Carabin, a former Princeton University student-athlete from Mahwah, make up the first group of players officially announced by the Ironhawks.

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The club will play its first home game at CURE Insurance Arena on Saturday, Oct. 24, against the Adirondack Thunder, an affiliate of the New Jersey Devils.

"When we created the Ironhawks, we knew we wanted to have a strong Jersey flavor to this team, and with the five new members being introduced today, we're excited to have accomplished that," Ironhawks President Bob Ohrablo said. "We're now less than two months away from Opening Night, and we couldn't be more excited to drop the puck."

Head Coach Chuck Weber said the signings reflect the strength of the state's youth hockey scene.

"Youth hockey is thriving in New Jersey and this is an example of its growth," Weber said. "I know these five young men are excited to compete for a spot on the Ironhawks' inaugural roster."

Here's more about the players:

• Antonacci, 23, a defenseman, returns home after the 2025-26 season, which he split between the NCAA and the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies. He played 127 NCAA games between the University of Maine and Lake Superior State University and won the 2022 Clark Cup with the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers.

• Gelatt, 25, a forward, joins the Ironhawks after his first full ECHL season, in which he recorded 14 goals and 24 points in 72 games with Utah. He played four seasons at Holy Cross before turning pro.

• Firriolo, 28, a left-shot defenseman, enters his fourth ECHL season and is expected to join his seventh ECHL team. He split the 2025-26 season between the Atlanta Gladiators and Iowa Heartlanders, recording 31 points in 57 games, and played his NCAA career at Army West Point.

• Colella, 25, a forward, appeared in 39 ECHL games with Utah last season, recording five goals and five assists. He played five NCAA seasons between Northern Michigan University and Canisius University.

• Carabin, 26, a defenseman, appeared in 52 ECHL games last season between the Cincinnati Cyclones and Iowa Heartlanders. He played five NCAA seasons between Princeton and the University of Connecticut.

"Today's signing reflects the Ironhawks' commitment to be a truly local team that embodies our community, and strengthens our Capital City, Mercer County, and our region," Mercer County Executive Dan Bensen said.

Season ticket deposits are available now, with single-game ticket information expected to be announced after Labor Day.

The Ironhawks are the ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders and the AHL's Hamilton Hammers. Games will be streamed on FloHockey. More information is available at trentonironhawks.com.

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