TRENTON, N.J. - The Trenton Ironhawks announced the signings of five New Jersey-born players who are the first five signings in team history.

Luke Antonacci, a native of Princeton, returns home to continue his hockey career after spending the 2025-26 season competing in both the NCAA and ECHL. The 23-year-old most recently appeared in 15 games with the Utah Grizzlies. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played 127 career collegiate games between the University of Maine and Lake Superior State University. During three seasons with Maine, Antonacci recorded 21 points (5g-16a). His junior hockey career was highlighted by a championship run with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League, where he helped the team capture the 2022 Clark Cup.

John Gelatt, a native of Middletown, joins the Ironhawks following his first full season in the ECHL with the Grizzlies. The 25-year-old appeared in 72 games with Utah during the 2025-26 season, recording 24 points (14g-10a). Prior to beginning his professional career, he played four seasons at the College of the Holy Cross from 2021-25, where he totaled 45 points (15g-30a) in 132 games. Gelatt’s strongest statistical season came during his senior year, when he posted 17 points (7g-10a) and a +10 rating. He played his junior hockey with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League, recording 54 points in 51 games.

Anthony Firriolo, a native of Towaco, brings his professional experience back home to New Jersey to join his seventh ECHL team. Firriolo enters his fourth ECHL season after splitting time between the Atlanta Gladiators and Iowa Heartlanders in 2025-26, totaling 31 points (7g-24a)in 57 games. He played his college hockey at Army West Point and developed in the junior ranks with stops in the North American Hockey League and Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Mikey Colella joins the Ironhawks after spending the 2025-26 season with Utah. The Turnersville native appeared in 39 games, recording 10 points (5g-5a). The 25-year-old spent five seasons playing college hockey between Northern Michigan University and Canisius University. During his time at Northern Michigan, he appeared in 132 games, recording 64 points (33g-31a). He finished his collegiate career at Canisius during the 2024-25 season. Prior to his collegiate career, Colella developed through the junior ranks with stops in the British Columbia Hockey League, USHL and National Collegiate Development Conference. His best season of junior hockey came during the 2019-20 season with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL, where he recorded 68 points in 58 games.

Nick Carabin appeared in 52 games during the 2025-26 season between the Cincinnati Cyclones and Iowa Heartlanders, recording 14 points (3g-11a). The Mahwah native spent five seasons playing college hockey between Princeton University and the University of Connecticut. During his time at Princeton, he appeared in 80 games, recording 29 points (6g-23a). He finished his collegiate career at UConn during the 2024-25 season, recording nine points (3g-6a) in 39 games. Prior to his collegiate career, Carabin played one season of junior hockey with the Coquitlam Express of the BCHL.