Joe Grimaldi

Joe Grimaldi (born August 23, 1986 in Ronkonkoma, New York) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman with the Rapid City Rush of the Central Hockey League.

Playing career
Undrafted, Grimaldi was a part of the United States National Team Development Program from 2002–04 before enrolling at the University of Nebraska-Omaha of the CCHA. In the 2004–05 season Grimaldi scored 17 points and was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team. In his second year with the Mavericks, he left for Major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League with the Ottawa 67's.

In the 2007–08 season, Grimaldi turned pro and signed with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL. Grimaldi played in 36 games with the Jackals, and made his AHL debut with the Rochester Americans and Albany River Rats. On January 15, 2008, Joe was traded to fellow ECHL team the Fresno Falcons, and was then later flipped to the Gwinnett Gladiators on February 19. He then played for his sixth team in the year when he was called up to the Peoria Rivermen for four games.

Joe started the 2008–09 season with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL before returning to the Jackals placing third on the team with 101 penalty minutes. He attended Elmira's training camp prior to the 2009–10 and later signed a contract midway through the season on December 12, 2009.

He played for the Evansville IceMen and the Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League in 2010-11 and then joined the Rapid City Rush of the same league in 2011-12.

Awards & achievements

 * 2004–05  CCHA  All-Rookie Team