Today, the date is 01 February 2021. The World is firmly entrenched in the ongoing Global pandemic. Millions face losing their jobs, losing families, or even their own lives. In other news, Tony DeAngelo of the New York Rangers has cleared waivers after an altercation with a team-mate amidst further personal issues off the ice. Why do I mention the date? Why do I mention the ongoing worldwide situation? This is a Hockey blog right? That's the problem. The World is facing unprecedented problems, we are firmly in the 21st century. And yet, the ugly side of Hockey is rearing it's head again.
DeAngelo was born in Sewell, New Jersey on October 24th, 1995. In other words, too old to be acting like a frat boy. Too old for any of this shit. On his third team, with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Arizona Coyotes giving up on him early, he is in what is supposed to be his last chance to shine. To produce. To, quite frankly, grow up. He is failing. Failing miserably. Hockey Twitter has known the deal with this guy for months, if not years. Many calling out his bullshit on a daily basis, mainly Rangers fans who want this guy out of their clubhouse. Now it appears his teammates want him gone too.
During the 2013/14 season, DeAngelo was suspended by Sarnia Sting of the OHL, his team at the time, for "A most inappropriate statement to a teammate".For many, this would have been the end. Game over. As seen with Mitchell Miller, and the Coyotes renouncing him after initially drafting him after actions made by Miller in High School were made public. This was the second such incident involving DeAngelo. Thus, strike one had been completed. Yet, despite this, he was still considered a high level prospect heading into the 2014 NHL Draft. For most, they would have buckled down, decided to dedicate themselves to their career. After all, everyone is young once, right? DeAngelo seemingly missed this memo.
After having been drafted 19th Overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning on June 27th 2014 in Philly, DeAngelo had a golden opportunity. Joining a decent team, with a good spine, with a talent level to thrive in the NHL, this should have been a slam dunk. After all, he was picked ahead of David Pastrnak and Kasperi Kapanen, among others who would have been a better option in hindsight. He played the 2014/15 season with the Greyhounds of the OHL, having been traded by the Sting, gaining 89 points in this season, with a plus/minus of plus-34. This ranked him first amongst defensemen for points in that season, leading to the Max Kaminsky Trophy for the OHL's Oustanding Defenseman. He also gained the award for the best Defenseman in the whole CHL. He was firing on all cylinders going into a professional career, that if he could reign in the transgressions, he would surely become an elite puck moving defenseman, with unlimited upside. Right?
In his first season in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch, he registered 43 points against 84 PIM, to finish 7th among AHL Defensemen in points. It would seem he was making a good transition to the professional ranks. However, the Lightning decided he wasnt worth the aggravation and hot headed streak he possessed, and shipped him to the Arizona Coyotes for a 2nd round pick, who turned out to be Libor Hajek. Saying it louder for those in the back, 1st round picks who are performing at an elite level in the AHL are not shipped in the cover of darkness for a 2nd round pick, unless there are major personality issues or attitude problems. In other words, unless Tony DeAngelo is that 1st round pick.
After 16 points in 25 games for the Tucson Roadrunners, the AHL affiliate of the Coyotes, he was called up to the Coyotes roster for a game at the Pepsi Center against the Colorado Avalanche on the 8th November 2016. DeAngelo would register his first NHL point 4 days later against the Boston Bruins, and in the Coyotes roster DeAngelo would stay for the rest of the season. He registered 14 points in 39 games for the Coyotes in the 2016/17 season, yet his personality was never far behind. The NHL suspended him for 3 games for violating rule 40.4 (Physical Abuse of Officials), for an incident against the Calgary Flames. This incident also cost DeAngelo $14,388.90. He had once again outstayed his welcome at yet another NHL team, and this time was shipped to the New York Rangers along with a 1st round pick for the 2017 Draft, for Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta.
DeAngelo split his time in his first season in New York, between the Rangers and the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. 8 NHL points in that split half season, does not indicate elite. However, in 2018/19 and 2019/20 DeAngelo would explode at the NHL level. 30 points followed by 53 points, showed the elite puck moving defenseman with an eye for point gathering had finally arrived at the NHL level. This should have been the end of the matter, had this been the majority of NHL players. However, this did not take into account one thing. Tony DeAngelo.
See, the issue is, DeAngelo is a huge supporter of Donald Trump. He took to social media to praise the now Former President. He mocked opponents of Trump. Supported the 2021 storming of the US Capitol. Joined Parler, the social media app for the Alt Right and racist scumbags everywhere once Trump was banned from Twitter. The Rangers had admonished him for the posts, the support of tyranny, the public jackassery. DeAngelo chose, wisely, to stop posting in response. However, strike two.
Strike three. This is where we now are. Out. Having signed a 2 year, $9.6million deal with the Rangers in October 2020. However, on 31st January 2021. following a loss an overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, reports surfaced stating DeAngelo and Alexander Georgiev had a physical altercation. A much speculated upon, yet unnamed Ranger, reportedly then dealt DeAngelo a swift five knuckle sandwich for his troubles. The locker room had enough. Reports of rifts in the Ranger's camp had been rife for months, and this altercation confirmed it. According to The Athletic, his ongoing maturity issues, had worn thin with the Rangers organization. They waived him, he cleared. This is a sure sign now, that his NHL career is over. The Rangers organization loves a buyout, and not many will want to touch DeAngelo with someone else's dick after this.
Now, this shows a massive issue in the Hockey community. How stars have a longer leish. How toxic behavior can be overlooked should the talent make you worth it. I am all for giving someone a chance, however DeAngelo had 3 chances. 3 strikes. He struck out looking. It should never have gotten to this point. The NHL is showing it is changing, with the Miller scandal a turning point for the league, however there is a way to go. Now, being a conservative is not a strike against you at all. I know in 2021 it seems that way, but it's not. Being a turbo douchebag, supporting people who only wish harm and deny truth, is however a massive strike. For Hockey to move forward, to the point where the NHL envisions themselves to lie in the wider world, the DeAngelo's of the world shouldn't be having a third strike. Two is more than enough. Everyone makes mistakes. Not many make three. It is time the NHL, and the Hockey world in general, stamps out problematic individuals. Until then, many will feel on the outside looking in. Now, Tiny Tony, time to say good bye bud. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
