GWINNETT, GA – The Gwinnett Gladiators are set to return to the ice, after a 2009-10 season that ended with a 31-33 causing the team to be left out of post-season play for the first time since the team began play in 2003.
Head Coach – Jeff Pyle begins his eighth season behind the bench for the Gladiators. Pyle has become one of the ECHL’s best coaches. During his tenure the team has reached the post-season six times in seven years, and reached the 2006 Kelly Cup Finals after finishing first in the American Conference at 50-15-7 to become only the ninth team in 18 years to win 50 games. In their first season in 2003-04, the Gladiators were 42-22-8 and reached the conference finals before losing to Kelly Cup champion Idaho.
FORWARDS – The Gladiators will start the season with twelve forwards, three of whom, Tim Miller, Daniel Sullivan, Matt Francis, return to Gwinnett after spending the 2009-10 season with the club. Derek Nesbitt, a Gladiator in 2007-08, rejoins Gwinnet after spending a year in Toledo. While Chris Poli joins the team after three seasons in Trenton and Dan Kissel comes to Gwinnett after spending a year with the Bakersfield Condors. The forwards are rounded out by four rookies, Danick Paquette, Matt Case, Aaron Bendickson, and Michael Davies.
DEFENCE – Gwinnett will return two players to the ice on defense in Tim Filangieri and Sam Roberts. Matt Krug and Will Corbet come to Gwinnett from Kalamazoo In addition, the Gladiators will also welcome back Paul Flache who has been playing oversees after spending the 2006-07 season in Gwinnett. Finally, Cody Brockwell and Pat Bowen will be playing in their first ECHL season on defense for Gwinnett.
GOALTENDERS – Chris Carozzi begins his first ECHL season with the Gladiators. Prior to spending training camp with Atlanta, the rookie net minder spent four seasons with Mississauga of the OHL. In addition to Carozzi, Gwinnett has signed Bill Sauer who saw action with four teams in 2009-2010.
CONCLUSION – Head Coach Jeff Pyle believes that the club is off to a good start by bringing back players from the previous season.
“We will definitely be a young team heading into this season and look for help from our affiliates,” Pyle said.
And thus far Pyle just might be right.
Contact author at ryan.kouvolo@prohockeynews.com
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