Video: Pro skater Vallely loses fight, breaks arm in hockey debut
Pro skater Mike Vallely, who you may remember from that unfortunate fan fight over Scott Niedermayer's stick last year after an Anaheim Ducks game, made news this summer by signing a contract with the Danbury Whalers of the new Federal Hockey League. The 40-year-old New Jersey native, a street-skating legend, had previously competed in NHL celebrity games, played rec hockey and was once punched in the face by Kip Brennan(notes).
Mike V. was also known for being in his share of fights off the ice, and there was anticipation he would drop the gloves in his pro hockey debut last Friday against the New York Aviators. Which he did ... before dropping to the ice and breaking his arm.
That's minor league pugilist Joe Pelle taking Vallely down awkwardly, as Mike V. simply couldn't get his footing right for the brawl. That led to this scene as Vallely left the penalty box, clutching his injured arm:
According to the GreenwichTime.com after the game, in speaking with coach Chris Firriolo:
Whalers forward Mike Vallely, a 40-year-old skateboarding icon making his professional hockey debut, suffered a broken arm in Friday's win and will not be back, Firriolo said.
Insult to injury: Vallely had to cancel the Mike V "Glory Bound Fest" music and skating event this weekend, as he's looking at 2-3 months without skating (on ice or on a board). His NSFW response to the injury was published on Twitter, which has included a summary of his emotions over the last few days.
Hey, it's not all cloudy days and rainy faces: He did become "the first professional board sport athlete to achieve a roster spot on a traditional team sport at a professional level," as his website proclaimed. And if you're gonna go, might as well go with a Whalers sweater and former Hartford and New York Rangers tough guy Nick Fotiu's number, right?
