The Bruins announced yesterday that they have renewed their agreement with their ECHL affiliate, the Atlanta Gladiators. This new deal will extend the relationship through the 2017-2018 season. This means the Bruins front office can continue to assign players in their system to the Gladiators.
“The Boston Bruins and Providence Bruins are excited to renew our affiliation with the Atlanta Gladiators,” said Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. “Since entering into our partnership with the Gladiators two years ago, we have established a strong working relationship with the club. We have been impressed by the support system; led by their owner Mr. Jefferys and their VP Joe Gelderman, along with the individual development attention that Head Coach Andy Brandt and his staff has shown each one of our players. We look forward to the continued success of the franchise and thank the Atlanta Gladiators ownership group and the Duluth community for their steadfast support.”
The two teams originally signed a “two-year affiliation agreement” before the 2015-2016 campaign. Prior to this, the South Carolina Stingrays and Reading Royals served as the Bruins’ ECHL affiliate.
The Gladiators franchise started as the Mobile Mystics (Mobile, Alabama) back in 1995. In 2003, the team moved to Gwinnett County, Georgia and rebranded as the Gwinnett Gladiators, where they served as the ECHL affiliate to the Atlanta Thrashers. Following the Thrashers’ move to Winnipeg in 2015, the team changed their name to the Atlanta Gladiators as they looked to become the “professional hockey team for all of the metro Atlanta community.” Over the years, the team has aslso served as an affiliate to the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, and Buffalo Sabres.
There are several notable players currently playing for the Gladiators, including Akim Aliu, Matt Ginn, Tyler Murovich, and Derek Nesbitt.